Grenade, not pillbox, caused post-Bar exams blast — NBI

Contrary to earlier reports, the explosion after the Bar examinations at the De La Salle University that injured over 40 people last Sunday was caused by a grenade and not a pillbox, according to the findings of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). "It is confirmed that it's a grenade, not a pillbox. Since of course, individuals were injured, and one's legs have to be amputated. Imagine this tragedy, it has to be seriously investigated," said Justice Secretary Leila de Lima at a news briefing on Tuesday. De Lima said initial reports from the NBI, an attached agency of the DOJ, showed that last Sunday's violence outside the DLSU campus in Taft Avenue resulted from a conflict between fraternities whose members "got drunk, became unruly, and went overboard."

Ampatuan nephew injured in blast Citing the reports of NBI Director Magtanggol Gatdula, De Lima also said a member of the Ampatuan clan was among those injured in the blast. De Lima identified him as Mohammad Abdul, who took the Bar exams that day. The Ampatuans have been accused of masterminding the November 23 massacre in Maguindanao, but De Lima stressed that it had nothing to do with Sunday's blast. The Supreme Court, which supervises the Bar exams, will conduct a parallel probe into the incident to supplement the inquiries of the NBI and the Manila Police District. (See: SC to initiate parallel probe on post-Bar exams blast) De Lima asked the police to take a "more proactive stance" in investigating the tragedy. She added the Manila police may not have yet recovered from the public uproar over the bungled hostage rescue last August 23 at the Quirino Grandstand. The MPD was criticized for being inept, ill-prepared, and ill-equipped in securing the hostages, eight of whom were killed by dismissed policeman Rolando Mendoza, who was also killed during the police assault. — LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV