Probe on Bocaue blast could be finished by next week – PNP

BOCAUE, Bulacan — The investigation on the explosion that rocked fireworks stalls here could be finished by next week, a police official said Friday.

Supt. Charlie Cabradilla, Bocaue Police Station chief, said they are expediting their probe on the incident which killed two people, including fireworks stall owner Gina Gonzales.

The blast also injured 20 others and damaged several establishments.

“On my part dito sa  PNP Bocaue, we are trying to expedite the investigation para naman makapaglabas agad kami ng result. Ayon sa aming coordination sa Bureau of Fire Protection at sa ibang agencies e mukhang hindi naman ito magtatagal,” he said at a press conference here.

“In a week’s time siguro matatapos na tayo,” he added.

Resumption of operations

Meanwhile, Bocaue Mayor Joni Villanueva-Tugna said the fireworks stalls in the town, which she ordered closed following the explosion, will be reopened as soon as the PNP, BFP, and Firearams and Explosives Office have finished the investigation.

“Hindi naman po ito tatagal (yung pagpapasara),depende ito sa magiging inspection ng BFP at PNP, sapagkat gusto namin i-make sure na strictly compliant ang stores at manufacturers,” she said during the same press conference.

The PNP, FEO, BFP, and health, and local officials conducted inspection on the firework stalls in  Bocaue, Sta. Maria, and San Rafael Friday morning,

Cabradilla said they wanted to ensure that all fireworks stall are safe when they resume operations.

On the part of the Philippine Pyrotechnics and Fireworks Dealers and Manufacturers Association, their national president Engr. Celso Cruz said the incident would serve as a wake up call for them.

“Malungkot kami dahil ang kasama namin sa past 20 years ay biktima ng  aksidente sa Bocaue. Ang sabi namin ay gagawin namin ang pangyayaring ito para maging wake up call sa aming lahat kung ano pa ang dapat gawin, ano ang pagkukulang para hindi na maulit ang ganitong pangyayari,” said Cruz.

He admitted it was obvious that there was negligence on the part of the dealer which resulted to the incident.

“Kitang kita na merong negligence on the part of dealer dahil yung ganyan kalakas na pagsabog, kung sinunod lang yung allowed na fireworks, firecrackers, and pyrotechnic products na allowed sa tindahan, hindi po magkakaroon ng ganyan kalakas na pagsabog. Dun pa lang may violation na,” he said.

He said their group would conduct a post-blast investigation to determine what caused the explosion.

“Ang aming grupo ay magkakaroon ng post blast investigation  para alam  namin kung ano ang sanhi ng pagsabog, kung  finished product ba ito, chemical ba ito, o kung ano pa man kung bakit nangyari yun,” he said. — RSJ, GMA News