Explosion that killed 11, hurt 70 only "accidental"

And the tide suddenly changed.

Just minutes after an explosion rocked Glorietta 2 Mall last Friday, PNP Chief Avelino Razon hinted that the blast could be caused by an explosive or a bomb based on the intensity of the damage. He downplayed earlier theory that the explosion was triggered by a leaking LPG tank.

Around the same day, police experts also said they found traces of C-4, an explosive device issued only to military agencies. Razon's statement plus the claim of police investigators prompted Sen. Trillanes to conclude that the explosion was 'man-made' and masterminded by some government officials.

Everybody thought it was a bomb really.

Until last Tuesday when senior government officials Tuesday expressed “a high level of certainty” that the Friday explosion at the Glorietta 2 mall in Makati City was an accident, although they clarified that a bomb attack had not been totally ruled out.

Razon said he briefed the National Security Council on an “accidental gas explosion” based on “facts at the scene.”

“But we’re not discounting the bomb blast theory,” he said.

Ano ba talaga kuya?

Here's hoping that US investigators could release their findings on the incident. And here's hoping in addition that the US findings will not contradict the findings of our investigators.

PNP Chief confirms explosion caused by bomb

Philippine National Police Chief Avelino Razon has confirmed that the explosion in Glorietta Mall 2 in Makati City was triggered by a bomb and not an LPG tank.

The other police offices in the country have also raised a red alert status following the announcement of Razon that it was a bomb explosion that ripped off Glorietta Mall, killing at least 6 and injuring 70 others.

Metro Manila in red alert after explosion kills 6, hurts 70

Six persons have already been confirmed dead as of 3:45 p.m. Friday following an explosion at the Glorietta Mall in the busy business district of Makati. At least 70 persons have also been rushed to the hospital for various injuries following the explosion that could have been triggered by an LPG tank leak, although police have not confirmed any cause of the blast yet.

The areas around Glorietta 2 have already been closed off to traffic by the police for fear of secondary explosion that could hurt curious onlookers. The police have also cordoned the area for security purposes.

Bomb squad personnel and bomb sniffing dogs have also been fielded at the Gloritta Mall 2 to scour for possible traces of bomb as the National Capital Region Police Office has already declared a red alert in the entire Manila even as the cause of the explosion was yet to be confirmed.

I am just hoping that the explosion is triggered by an LPG tank and nothing else, because otherwise, it will be a big slap again to the economy of the Philippines considerint that the explosion took place in the country's financial capital.

I was at Glorietta 2 a couple of weeks ago with my wife and my son en route to Subic. It was crowded and very much alive. I am just hoping that the death toll will not increase even as reports show more bodies inside the establishment.