Blast in Puerto Princesa pier not deliberate, probers say

CALAPAN CITY, Philippines – The explosion that rocked a pier leading to the Underground River, a world-renowned tourist destination in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan last Monday morning was not deliberate and just a “freak incident,” police said yesterday.

In a report, the Region 4-B (Mimaropa) police headed by Chief Superintendent Artemio Hicban said the blast at the Sabang port involved materials and chemicals presumably used for illegal fishing that were left unattended at the parking lot where vans wait for tourists visiting the Underground River.

Police investigators said the blasting materials kept in a sack exploded because of exposure to the heat of the sun. The blast occurred at around 10 a.m. Monday.

Senior Superintendent Abad Osit, Puerto Princesa City police chief, said no one was killed or injured in the blast but a parked pick-up truck owned by a certain Arnel Camama Tagbiliwan was damaged. 

Authorities said there was “no cause for alarm” for tourists in Puerto Princesa.

The explosion happened as the Puerto Princesa City government is in the midst of preparations for the official designation of the Underground River as one of the world’s Seven New Wonders, slated in two weeks.