Philippines - Terrorism ruled out in Philippine river blast

Philippine police authorities on Tuesday ruled out terrorism as the cause of Monday’s blast near the Underground River and said there never was a threat to the more than 200 US soldiers participating in joint exercises with Philippine troops in Palawan (central Philippines).

Police Senior Supt. Abad Osit told a news conference that the explosion in Sitio Sabang, Barangay Cabayugan in Puerto Princesa City was caused by the overheating of a stash of ammonium nitrate buried by illegal fishers in the parking area near the wharf where tours to the Underground River depart.

"The explosion was caused by ingredients used in illegal fishing,” Osit said. “Because of the heat, the explosion occurred.”

Osit said investigators had a suspect, whom he did not identify.

He also denied reports that investigators had found battery fragments that suggested the explosion was set off by remote control.

US Army spokesperson Lt. Ray Ragan told reporters that the US contingent had been informed of the police findings and was coordinating with the intelligence units of the Western Command of the Philippine military to assess if there was a threat to the security of the more than 200 American soldiers participating in the Balikatan 2012.

"We have full trust and confidence in our counterpart to provide security for us,” Ragan said. “Our intelligence officers have linked up with our counterparts and we share information so we could be aware of what’s going on. As this information is being gathered, we’re not making any changes to what we’re doing.”

Maj. Niel Estrella, spokesperson for the Western Command, said Philippine military authorities had increased security measures to protect the US troops in Palawan and were doing a “parallel investigation” into the explosion.

"Initially, we have enhanced our security, intensified checkpoints and our intelligence community has already initiated some efforts,” Estrella said. “We’re doing a parallel and background investigation in relation to that incident.”

The US troops currently in Palawan are part of a larger contingent expected to arrive later this month for the annual joint military exercise. The US troops launched on Monday several projects in three villages around Puerto Princesa, mostly the construction of school buildings.

Ragan said the US contingent would expand the civic activities to include medical and dental missions to far-flung communities.

The last exercise will involve more US troops, who will take part in joint military maneuvers, including the retaking of an oil rig platform taken over by hostile forces.

Redempto D. Anda

Philippine Daily Inquirer

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