Quezon City cops probe deeper into Katipunan blast

MANILA, Philippines - The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) is not discounting the possibility that the motive behind the explosion outside a condominium building on Katipunan Avenue on Friday was something more than just part of a fraternity or gang war.

QCPD director Chief Superintendent Elmo San Diego yesterday said they will explore all angles in their investigation of the explosion outside One Burgundy Plaza, noting that the ones behind the incident had a motive that was more than just a personal rift.

The penthouse of One Burgundy Plaza was once occupied by President Arroyo and her family. Outside the same condominium last June, an explosive device with C4 bomb components was also found.

In an interview, San Diego said while it was apparent that the explosion was not the work of terrorists, it could be that it was an act of “harassment aimed at no one in particular.”

According to San Diego, QCPD investigators will talk with the young owner of the damaged Honda Civic if he was a member of or has had any encounter with any fraternity.

The improvised explosive device was placed in a sack that was noticed by a roving security guard outside the building before 2 a.m. Smoke was noticeably coming out of the package, prompting the security guard to run away.

Seconds later, the explosive device went off, damaging the back windshield and rear bumper of the sedan owned by Alenzandro Valencia. The signages of nearby establishments were also damaged, and the explosion also created a 1.6-inch deep crater in the pavement.

San Diego said they are still trying to determine the composition of the explosive device.      – Reinir Padua