Task force to release findings on Cavite explosion on February 13

MANILA, Philippines -- The task force created to determine the cause of the recent explosion that destroyed a firecracker factory in Trece Martires, Cavite will release its findings on Feb. 13.

Chief Superintendent Perfecto Palad, Calabarzon police director, said they would wait for the task force’s findings before filing charges of criminal negligence resulting in death and multiple injuries and damage to property against Salvador Tan, 29, owner of the Star Maker firecracker factory in Batangay Conchu, Trece Martires town.

Palad said the anti-terrorism division of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the multi-agency arson task force of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) informed him that the results of their investigation will be out on Feb. 13.

The NBI and the DILG, which were also behind the investigation into the Glorietta blast in Makati City last year, were sent to the explosion site to determine the real cause of the blast that left 11 people dead and scores of others injured.

Earlier, Palad said damage to property was initially estimated at P27 million.

He said all pieces of evidence like debris and other suspected parts of explosives were turned over to the task force for their analysis.

“We decided to wait for the results of the task force’s investigation so we can have a strong case against Tan,” he said.

Palad said Tan shouldered all burial and hospital expenses of the victims, mostly his employees.

Those killed were Onor Lugame, Belen Rodriguez, Clodelio Iso, Angelo Francisco, Marion Rodrin, Diomedes Enano, Christian Panganiban, Gerardo Amparo Jr., Arnold Pamplona, Susan Decillo and Ericson Layno.

Still confined at the hospital were Leanville Villa, Annaliza Tadlucop, Ariel Lubigan and Jennifer Buenviaje. Tadlucop was listed in critical condition.

The explosion occurred while the company was reportedly conducting an inventory of products and raw materials.

The Cavite police failed to establish the cause of the explosion, prompting Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno to create the task force to do the job.