Terror attempt ruled out in Baclaran blast

Police have ruled out terrorism as motive in the twin blasts that hit Baclaran in Parañaque City on Thursday evening.

Senior Supt. Ariel Andrade, chief of the Parañaque City Police Office, told GMA News Online the explosions that occurred outside a police community precinct and at the back of the Baclaran Church were possibly caused by firecrackers.

"Wala namang possibility na ito ay terror attack," he said.

"Parang fountain (a type of firework which produces a jet of sparks) ang nakita ng mga witness dun. Pinapa-examine na rin namin sa PNP (Philippine National Police) Crime Laboratory to know the composition ng mga nakitang pyrotechnic."

Andrade said they will also check footage from closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in areas where the explosions took place.

The first explosion happened in front of the police community precinct before 7 p.m. and was followed by another blast around 10 to 15 minutes later at the back of the church, according to Andrade.

No one was hurt from the blasts which Andrade said could have been the handiwork of people who wanted to cause alarm or scandal.

"Gusto lang manakot nun," he said.  — APG, GMA News