PNP to regional execs: Conduct regular inspections on ammo depots

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has directed all regional directors and commanders to conduct regular inspections on their respective ammunition depots, a day after a fire rocked a military ammunition storage facility in Barangay Patag, Cagayan de Oro.

The blast, which was followed by a series of explosions, came from one of the buildings inside the Ammunition Complex of the 10th Forward Service Support Unity, Army Support Command on Monday night.

According to authorities, three civilians incurred minor wounds from the said incident.

READ: 3 injured as fire razes Army ammo building in Cagayan de Oro

PNP director for operations, Major General Valeriano de Leon, on Wednesday said they have since reminded regional PNP units to “take regular preventive measures” especially when handling and storing ammunition.

Inspecting evidence depots and housing confiscated firearms and ammunition from criminals should similarly be done by the police, according to de Leon.

“Our commanders should always make sure to check the weather condition and the temperature inside the storage areas. Moisture may develop inside and this can ignite the ammunition inside,” he said in a statement.

De Leon also warned that the PNP will file administrative cases against any person found responsible for mishandling firearms and ammunition storage areas.

“They would surely be facing administrative liability if they would not exercise due diligence because we have already reminded them through a memorandum issued from the National Headquarters,” he added.

Prior to the Cagayan de Oro fire, similar ammunition-linked blasts have been reported by the police in the past.

In 2017, a fire gutted the Caloocan police headquarters which forced over a hundred detainees to evacuate and destroyed a number of criminal records and evidence.

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