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Engineer, 7 others face raps over Glorietta blast


MANILA, Philippines - A Department of Justice panel has recommended the filing of criminal charges against eight people in connection with the Glorietta 2 blast that killed 11 people on Oct. 19 last year, radio dzBB reported Thursday. Radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported that Task Force Glorietta headed by Senior State Prosecutor Leo Dacera III is set to file charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and multiple physical injuries against Candelario Valdueza, project engineer of Makati Supermarket Corp. (MSC). The report said that also to be included in the charge sheet are Clifford Arriola, operations manager of Marchem Industrial Sales and Services Inc.; Joselito Buenaventura, Marchem supervisor; Charlie Nepomuceno, Jonathan Ibuna, and Juan Ricaport, all Marchem maintenance personnel; Engr. Ricardo Cruz, operations manager of Metalline Enterprises, and foreman Miguel Velasco Jr. The report said the task force cleared the personnel of Ayala Property Management Corp. which includes Marcelo Botenes, building engineer of MSC-G2; Jowell Velvez, building administrator of MSC-G2; Arnel Gonzales, building manager of MSC-G2. Also cleared from the charges are Fire Prevention Officer Reynaldo Enoc of the Makati Fire Station, Senior Fire Office 2 Leonilo Balais and Senior Fire Officer 4 Anthony Grey of the Fire Safety Inspection unit of the Bureau of Fire Protection. In February, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez formed a prosecutors' panel to conduct the preliminary investigation in the Glorietta 2 blast. Also included in the panel were State Prosecutors Emilia Victorio and Eden Valdez. Gonzalez gave the panel 30 days to conduct its preliminary investigation. A multi-agency body headed by the Philippine National Police earlier recommended the filing of charges against the 14 people. The body said the Glorietta explosion stemmed from the explosion of methane gas in the basement, but Ayala Land Inc, which owns the mall, insisted it was a bomb attack. - GMANews.TV
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