Bomb blasts rock Quezon City, Pasig City; NCRPO on full alert

Gina Peralta-Elorde

10/31/2009

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) was placed on full alert status following the two explosions that rocked Quezon City and Pasig City yesterday morning.

NCRPO Director Roberto Rosales said the alert status was declared for the All Saints’ Day weekend.

Based on police reports, the first blast took place in front of the One Burgundy Plaza along Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City around 1:05 a.m.

The explosion damaged a Honda Civic owned by Allan Valencia, a student of Ateneo Manila. The car was parked near the establishment.

No one was reported hurt in the incident.

Initial investigation conducted by bomb experts from the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) showed the explosive was an improvised explosive device with a timing mechanism.

QCPD investigators invited for questioning one Elmer Gadanan, a security guard, who came out of the establishment upon seeing the smoke.

According to Insp. Arnulfo Franco, District Explosive and Ordnance Division officer, they only recovered fragments of the explosive and a red bag where it was placed.

“It is likely a high explosive,” Franco said.

The second blast occurred shortly after the Quezon City incident, where another explosive device exploded across the Union Bank Plaza along Meralco Avenue in Pasig City’s Ortigas district.

Sketchy initial reports said one of four men was seen leaving a bag near the plants on Meralco Avenue. The man was described as wearing a jacket and his face was covered.

No one was also hurt in the Pasig City explosion.

QCPD Police Intelligence Unit head Senior Supt. Marcelino Pedrozo Jr. said they are looking into a possible connection with the Pasig City incident.

The QCPD and Pasig City operatives are now establishing data to determine the motive behind the blasts.

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