MANILA, Philippines - A 60-year-old businessman died when the car he was driving suddenly exploded as he was about to park the vehicle at the basement parking area of a condominium building in Taguig City yesterday afternoon.
An initial investigation conducted by the Taguig police disclosed that the victim is a certain Remigio Ang, a resident of the Serendra 2 building at the Global City.
Philippine National Police spokesman Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina said initial investigations revealed Ang was a businessman who owned one of the shops at the mall opposite the building.
Senior Superintendent Camilo Cascolan, Taguig Police chief, said Noemi Nullas, caretaker of Ang’s unit, claimed the victim left to buy food and other supplies in the mall. The latter reportedly returned around 12:20 p.m., and while he was at the basement entrance of Serendra, his black Honda Civic (TNM-865) suddenly exploded.
The Explosives Ordinance Division and Scene of the Crime Operatives rushed to the site. Police later ruled out a bomb as the cause of explosion and noted “spontaneous combustion” as the cause of the incident. A can suspected to contain combustible material, which could have triggered the explosion, was found at the passenger seat.
Though the victim’s body was burned beyond recognition, police said it did not sustain lacerations caused by shrapnel.
Cascolan said a follow-up investigation is being conducted on the incident. He added that Ang may have bought a can of thinner for his unit.
Taguig Mayor Sigfrido Tiñga directed the police to thoroughly investigate the matter.
Tiñga, who was in a meeting at a nearby establishment, heard the explosion and was one of the first to arrive at the scene. He directed Cascolan to determine the real cause of the explosion.
Meanwhile, Ayala Land Inc. spokesperson Jorge Marco said they are cooperating fully with authorities on the matter.