Glorietta blast reinvestigation under way — DoJ chief By Benjamin B. Pulta 10/30/2010

Glorietta blast reinvestigation under way — DoJ chief

By Benjamin B. Pulta 10/30/2010

A fact-finding panel has been formed by the Department of Justice (DoJ) to take a second look at the October 2007 Glorietta 2 explosion following a retired Army officer’s claim that a high explosive bomb caused the incident, contrary to authorities’ earlier findings that the blast was caused by a buildup of methane in the basement of Glorietta.

In Department Order No. 716, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima directed Senior State Prosecutor Peter Ong and State Prosecutor Gino Paolo Santiago to investigate the Glorietta blast within 45 days.

She ordered the conduct of preliminary verification into the recent disclosure of retired Col. Allan Sollano that the explosion in Makati City on Oct. 19, 2007 was not an accident but was allegedly caused by an explosive.

“The prosecutors shall review reports of investigative agencies made relative to the blast, assess and evaluate existing evidence, gather more evidence and take additional statements from witnesses as may be available and submit their report and recommendation thereon within 45 days from receipt of this order,” De Lima said in her department order dated Oct. 26..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20101030hed2.html