Water tank blast: Army joins probe

The impact of the water tank explosion toppled equipment in this gasoline station several meters away from the blast site in the village of Muzon, San Jose del Monte town, Bulacan province. NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

CITY OF SAN JOSE DEL MONTE — A city government task force began inspecting 10 water storage tanks mostly in populated communities here, while the military investigated the Friday dawn explosion of a 13-meter high tank that killed four people, two of them babies.

The Post-Blast Investigating Unit of the Army’s 48th Infantry Battalion has been conducting forensic tests on debris from the tank that blew up in the village of Muzon at 3:30 a.m. on Friday.

Killed in the explosion were babies Jaina Espina and Nina Louise Ape, police aide Jimmy Garcia and Elaine Chamzon. Forty-five people were injured.

The tank, which contained 2,000 cubic meters of water, was being operated by San Jose del Monte Water District (SJDMWD).

Probe for explosives

The Army experts were tapped to determine if the tank was detonated by explosives, Supt. Fitz Macariola, the city police chief, said on Saturday.

The debris and a subsequent flash flood damaged at least 60 houses and business establishments in the area.

Should investigators rule out foul play, SJDMWD would be charged with reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicides, Macariola said.

“According to the law, the water district is still liable for the deaths and destruction caused by the explosion, regardless of whether it was intentional or not,” he said.

A separate investigation is looking into the structural condition of 10 storage tanks serving subdivisions as well as relocation sites for displaced informal settlers from Metro Manila, Mayor Arthur Robes said.

Victor Canita, a SJDMWD engineer, said areas not served by the water district got their supply from private groups that operate deep wells.
These operators put up tanks for their clients. —Carmela Reyes-Estopre