Caretaker negligence eyed in ammo dump blast

The task force created to investigate the ammunition dump explosion in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig last week, which injured 107 people and destroyed P12 million worth of properties, is zeroing in on the possible negligence of the facility’s caretakers.

"There’s no question that the blast was a natural disaster," a member of the Task Force who requested anonymity said. "But we are verifying whether the explosives and other chemical ingredients stored inside were carelessly stockpiled."

The ammo dump is being operated by the Logistics Support Service (LSS) of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The facility was used to store explosives like C-4, ammonium nitrate, pillbox, molotov, claymore mines, dynamites, hand grenades and TNT, seized by the PNP in its anti-crime and anti-terrorists operations nationwide.

LSS director Chief Superintendent Amito Tolentino emphasized that the stored explosives have been disarmed except for a few intended to be used by a class from the Explosive and Ordnance Division (EOD).

The Task Force member said that had the stored explosives been stockpiled properly and with care, the blast could have less impact, and damage to property could have been negligible. He said the chief caretaker of the ammo dump and his men would be liable to administrative charges if found guilty of negligence.

The Task Force, he said, will submit its full report before PNP chief Director General Arturo Lomibao anytime this week.

Meanwhile, Metro police chief Director Vidal Querol clarified yesterday that the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has no hand in the management, security, maintenance and administration of the LSS compound located inside the NCRPO headquarters.

Of the 107 people injured in the blast, six were policemen and trainee applicants while the rest were patients of the Center for the Ultimate Rehabilitation of Drug Dependents (CUREDD). The blast also destroyed the NCRPO main building, headquarters of the Regional Special Action Unit (RSAU), the chapel, Day Care center, recreation hall, and the Communication and Electronics Office (Commel).