MANILA, Philippines - The tenant and the owner of the Two Serendra in Taguig City could possibly face legal liabilities for the blast that rocked the posh condominium last May 31, Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas said Thursday.
During a briefing at Camp Crame on the findings of the blast, Roxas said government forensic investigators, along with an international post-blast expert Kroll Associates, have found the negligence on the part of the owner and tenant.
He said that the tenant's contractor, RM Ladrigo Construction Services, had made some renovation and transferred the gas range in the unit which caused the gas leak.
"Hindi naibalik ng tama nung hose pero kung naibalik man pero mali...ginalaw 'yung gas range na di kabahagi 'yung na-approve work," Roxas said.
He also noted that due to the renovation, there had been an accumulation of the gas inside unit 501-B of the condominium.
"Nagkaroon ng pag ipon ng gas dahil 'di naka-plug..' di gumagana leak detector at automatic shutoff valve," Roxas said, adding that building's vaporized gas distribution system which had dissipated the odor make it difficult for people todetect any gas leak.
Besides the tenant and owner, Roxas said the tenant's contractor, Bonifacio Gas Corp., and Makati Development Corp. could also possibly face liabilities for the blast that killed four people and injured several others.
Roxas said the final report will be given to the Department of Justice to determine the appropriate charges against those concerned.
"Kasi kaunahan-unahan ito nangyari sa ating bansa, 'dun kami nag-focus sa science... medyo maselan ito, science is involved...pinababayaan natin sa abogado any legal liability," he added.
He said that report will also be furnished to the DILG and Department of Trade and Industry for some policy changes, like the annual fire inspection conducted by members of the Bureau of Fire Protection.
"Gusto namin ay hard wire plug of the gas leak detector, shut off valve.. "off-open" (shut off valve) ay hindi dapat mabenta dito, dapat yung "off- close" (type)," he said, citing the type of shut off valve inside the building.