An explosion rocked a vacant lot in Salcedo Village, Makati City, just a few blocks away from the controversial residence of Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, whom President Aquino has reportedly been grooming to take the place of Chief Justice Renato Corona if he is ousted.
According to Makati Police chief Supt. Jaime Santos, there were no reported casualties in the blast that occurred on De La Costa Street around 2 p.m.
Carpio reportedly owns an 800-sq.m condominium unit in Avignon Tower on HV
De la Costa Street in Salcedo Village with an estimated cost of P38 million, prompting calls for Malacañang and the House of Representatives to also look into into his wealth and assets.
But the Palace quickly defended Carpio, saying allegations against him were meant to distract the administration from its efforts to remove Corona through an impeachment trial.
“Around 2 p.m. while our policemen were patrolling the area they heard an explosion and when they arrived at the site, they saw some fragments,” Santos said.
He added the explosion damaged parked cars in the area while glass panels of several business establishments were also shattered.
“No casualty was reported or even injured since the explosion took place on big vacant lot,” the official said.
Police have cordoned off the area while the Makati Police Explosives and Ordnance Division conducted their investigation to determine what type of explosive caused the blast.
Bomb-sniffing dogs were also seen in the area while a team from the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) also responded, according to Santos.
“The EOD had conducted its investigation and they collected some fragments so they can determine what kind of bomb. There was also the team from crime lab and K-9 units,” he said.
Though investigations are ongoing, De los Santos discounted the possibility that the blast was terror-related.
Earlier, authorities said operations were still ongoing to arrest several suspected terrorists identified by President Aquino as among those out to sow terror, including the feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo. Pat C. Santos and Gina P. Elorde
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