Authorities not discounting foul play in Manila tanker explosion

Investigators are not discounting the possibility that foul play may be involved in Wednesday night's deadly oil tanker explosion in Manila, which killed one person, injured another one, and burned at least 13 vehicles. "Ang driver ng truck at large at pinaikutan natin ang mga ospital pero di natin siya makita (For now we consider the driver at large. Our initial search of hospitals in the city turned up negative)," Manila fire marshal Sr. Supt. Pablito Cordeta dzRH radio in an interview. Cordeta identified the driver of the "BG Trucking" oil tanker (PXD-482) as Leonardo Binamer, and the owner as Teodoro Baldonado. When asked about the possibility that the driver had died in the fire, he said it is impossible because they did not see any remains. "Sa ngayon maaring hindi. Wala kaming nakita victim sa tanker, sa hospital pinapunta namin wala doon (For now we cannot consider him dead. We found no remains, and a search of hospitals turned up negative)," he said. On the other hand, radio dzBB reported that the MPD is preparing to summon the driver of the tanker as well as the truck helpers. Noting the proximity of the scene of the explosion to Malacañang, police investigators said they cannot discount the possibility that the incident may have been a deliberate attempt to embarrass the government. The tanker exploded into a fireball as it was getting down the Nagtahan flyover and heading for A.H. Lacson Street in Sampaloc, Manila, at about 10 p.m. Wednesday. Flames spread to at least 11 other vehicles, killing businessman Melencio Aquino, 55, and injuring his wife, Gemma Aquino, who is now confined at the University of Santo Tomas Hospital. Initial investigation also showed the tanker was carrying at least 3,000 gallons of diesel and 200 gallons of gasoline. As of Thursday morning, Cordeta said they have cordoned off the area and spread sand and foam to prevent the fire from starting again. He added that most of the fuel in the tanker had already been recovered and transferred. Meanwhile, the Bureau of Fire Protection and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) had finished cleaning the area 7 a.m. Thursday. The Nagtahan flyover is now open to traffic. - GMANews.TV