‘No human intervention’ in explosion of bombs in De Oro police camp

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—Authorities ruled out sabotage in the explosion of dozens of bombs and other ordnance inside the storage area of the Philippine National Police’s Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) camp here last Aug. 2.

The bombs had been for safe detonation but blew up because of a possible “chemical reaction.”

“There was no human intervention,” said Lt. Col. Mardy Hortillosa, spokesperson of the regional police.

“It was likely that the explosion was caused by chemical reaction,” he said.

Hortillosa said had the bombs been intentionally set off, there would have been casualties.

At least 50 unexploded bombs and other ordnance were being stored in a shed made of wood and galvanized iron sheets a few meters from the police headquarters.

Hortillosa said heat brought by the weather could have been a factor in the explosion in the shed, which he said was not an ideal place to store bombs.

Bomb storage should be at least 3 kilometers from any building or populated area and must be made of solid materials, said Hortillosa.

The shed which kept the bombs was just 500 meters from the RMFB compound which houses offices, living quarters an armory and other structures.

Explosives and Ordnance Division members had inspected the shed and recommended the safe detonation of the bombs./TSB