Last Thursday, the PNP finally released their conclusive report about the Glorietta 2 Bombing incident that happened on October 19, 2007. As expected, they maintained their methane gas built-up theory and dismissed Ayala Land’s findings. For the PNP’s presentation, go here.
I don’t want to burst PNP’s bubble or make them look incompetent or anything (not that I need to), but how do these guys fair against the combined forces of forensic experts from America and Australia whom the Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) hired?
When interviewed on Ricky Carandang’s The Big Picture, Barias said that the RDX found on the scene was irrelevant. He further adds that there should be 4 major components, other than RDX, to confirm that the blast was made by a bomb. Unfortunately, RDX was the only one found in the scene so for the PNP, argument closed: that bomb angle is ridiculous. But when Carandang asks ‘how much’ RDX was found, Barias was quick to reinforce their initial statement that it was only found in trace amounts.
The next logical question is: if the methane gas built-up indeed caused the explosion, then how in the world did the ‘trace amounts’ of RDX got there?
Barias very cleverly answered this one by pointing out that maybe some of his investigating team brought it there by accident or perhaps the dogs did, who knows? So in essence, the investigators themselves contaminated the scene and because of this, shouldn’t they be charged for negligence or whatever technical term they have for profound stupidity?
Well, apparently not because the investigating team and the MAITF are even being given a promotion for a job well done.
On one side, you’d probably think that the PNP is right if you ask why the ALI gives too much financial aid to the victims. Anyone would think that they’re buying these people out to keep them from suing the company. I mean, 1.5M house and lot and 1M educational plan and additional benefits? Who wouldn’t suspect any under the table dealings between ALI and the victims’ families?
Or if you’re in the families’ shoes, would that amount be really enough to console them for their loss?
I think ALI isn’t doing anything wrong for compensating the victims because they’re a smart business group; they’re doing it for their image and for their patrons to keep on coming despite the incident. And I think it’s only right for them to dispense that sort of cash because not only is it for compensation, but for the public to know that they’re responsible.
Personally, the logical and more feasible explanation for me is that of the bomb theory. I mean, c’mon, was it necessary for Barias to condemn his own men by implying that they could have contaminated the scene with RDX? That sounds too desperate. All this makes me think that the PNP is trying to cover something up. But then again, they’re not smart enough to get any job right.
5 Comments
January 14, 2008 at 3:36 pm
From the start, I thought the incident was not caused by a bomb because if Glorietta was indeed bombed, there would have been signs of fire (when there is none).
January 15, 2008 at 3:18 am
correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t the FBI and Autralian police on the PNP’s side, that their findings concluded it wasn’t a bomb? I’m not an expert but from the recent footage of the scene shown on TV when the “ground zero” was opened to the media, there was no tearing on the walls and surroundings of the blast site, no telltale signs it was a bomb.
plus, I agree with empress maruja above, no fire, no signs of burning anywhere.
January 15, 2008 at 4:06 am
i love the way u write:)
January 16, 2008 at 2:44 am
We can always choose what we believe but then we must realize that Ayala is also protecting itself. If your theory is right then the company has a lot of answering to since clearly there is neglect on their part. Now if the PNP is correct, they may just be avoiding further investigations. Considering those two possibilities the question then is who is telling the truth… or maybe who has more to lose? Of course, we can just speculate, we’re merely spectators but then what troubles me is that how easy it is for us to dismiss the institutions of this country and rely more on what money can do (the experts that Ayala hired because they have the resources to do so). I find it sad that our people has lost its faith on the institutions of this country (the PNP in this case) and yet wonder why our country is not improving.
Well, our theories maybe right (or wrong) but the point is, the trend is very glaring. We can complain all we want but if we can not even believe our own National Police, who will? Their reputation may not have been that good through the years but definitely they are far better than many other police force in the world and I honestly believe that they are improving.
As I said in my previous comments, I love your way with words but I just hope you’d be more optimistic, there is still a good side despite of everything in this country.
January 16, 2008 at 11:52 am
empress:
according to a fledging physics prof here in uplb (whom i happen to overhear his conversation with my adviser the other day), an explosion can occur even without fire. But the downside is that the explosion may not be that powerful OR the explosion had nothing in the surrounding environment to interact with immediately (chemical reactions with the atmosphere e.g. oxygen, aircon components etc). Im not too familiar with the technical terms of this reaction, but yes, an explosion can occur without fire. But you have a point that something as big as the glorietta incident may not have been caused by a bomb. But why did all the international forensic people who searched the area found ’significant’ amounts of RDX?
I think what makes the PNP’s version so not unbelievable (for me at least) is that their reputation and their pa-mysterious effect clouds the public’s ability to trust them 100%. But don’t get me wrong, even if im an uber pessimist about them, I still put faith in them. It wont hurt to trust them but at the same time have an opinion totally against theirs.
monaco:
the Australian (the guy who didnt come to the blast site but ‘theorized’ about the whole bomb incident in his head), the Indonesian and the US forensics whom the Ayala Land Inc hired believe that the incident was caused by a bomb. The FBI and another group of Aussie investigators agree with the PNP reports yes.
jeff:
thanks.
alex:
i haven’t completely lost faith in the PNP. My dad is a retired army officer and I know what it feels like to have (some) people doubt your dad’s integrity or their line of work. But it takes patience and lot of understanding and compromise to actually come to terms that our country lacks a lot of things like integrity, honesty and discipline. You should know this yourself since your in the PMA.
You cannot erase doubts on people’s minds about how bad SOME institutions are in this country because you have a long list of things and evidences to point this out. The evidence cannot lie; the long parade of unresolved cases, the extrajudicial killings, the names of police and military alike who are linked to robbery, murder, extortion etc. But the least we could do is be critical about these things; let’s be honest with our feelings and not be persuaded with some idealistic notion that everything is ok when clearly it is not. I also envision this country to be ideal but let’s face it, being realistic at times is often more useful.
Thanks. I’m really trying to be ‘nicer’ now. Nice na naman ako magsulat ah (see previous posts and compare yourself).
Thanks for dropping by guys!