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By Jefferson Antiporda
Reporter
THE fire that hit the old
Commission on Elections building last month is accidental in nature
the Department of the Interior and Local Government said in a report
Thursday.
Undersecretary for Public Safety
Marius Corpus of the DILG issued the statement based on the findings
of the Interagency Antiarson directed by the department to
thoroughly investigate the fire incident that destroyed the first
and second floors of the Comelec office in Intramuros, Manila, last
March 11.
The 12-man composite team, led by
Fire Supt. Fennimore Jaudian, has completed its one-month
investigation and has submitted its findings and recommendations to
the Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno.
The report indicated that the
fire originated from the ceiling of the electrical/power room of the
Comelec’s General Services Division (GSD).
It was caused by loose energized
electrical wiring connection that generated arcs and sparks that
ignited combustible materials in the area.
“There are no tell-tale signs
and incriminating evidence of arson found at the scene of the
fire,” Corpus said, adding that there was no significant
information that would indicate that the incident was done
intentionally.
Corpus said the fire spread
quickly to the other parts of the building due to the wind coming
from the Manila Bay area, the building itself being old and capable
of combustion.
Corpus said the team’s findings
strengthened an earlier report of the National Bureau of
Investigation signed by SI4 Romeo Cotingjo, Chief, EOD Section,
which said among others, that there were no significant indication
that the cause of the fire were explosives or evidence that would
show the burning is terrorist-related.
“Based on the findings of the
team led by Fire Supt. Jaudian, we consider this fire incident
closed, with the fire being accidental in nature,” Corpus said.
The old Comelec caught fire last
March 11 and various poll documents related to pending local
election protests were razed. Comelec earlier said the burned
documents were not connected with the May 14 elections.
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