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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider NBI told to check weapons, ammunition storage

NBI told to check weapons, ammunition storage

Published Aug 5, 2020 03:30 pm

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has been advised to inspect its storage for weapons and ammunition to prevent the possibility of an explosion from happening.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra (TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO /MANILA BULLETIN)

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said he will give the directive in the wake of two Filipinos getting killed in the blasts in Beirut, Lebanon on Wednesday, August 5.

“I have no personal knowledge about the presence of any dangerous materials at the NBI compound,” the secretary said.

“Just the same, I'll instruct them to take all necessary precautions in their armory,” Guevarra assured.

A Friday the 13th explosion took place in August 2000 at the NBI’s Special Investigation Division (SID) office.  This incident has been blamed for the lack of care in the storing of explosive materials seized from raids.

Seven persons were killed in the blast, namely, lawyer Wilfredo Lucido, executive officer of the NBI's special investigation division; senior agent Arnel Asul; special investigators Fidel Uson and Sonny Ibrahim; and civilian agents Judy San Miguel, Alex Rodriguez and Coni Pangalandan.

Aside from them, 12 other persons were hurt from the explosion at the NBI.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has already reported that two Filipinos have died from the blasts in Beirut with at least eight Filipinos among those hurt.

The DFA also said that 12 other Filipinos remain missing following the blasts.

There are approximately 33,000 Filipinos in Lebanon, 75 percent of whom are concentrated in the Greater Beirut area. 

Labanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab said that almost three thousand tons of explosive ammonium nitrate was most likely to have caused the blasts since these have been kept in the port warehouse for six years without safety measures.

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