NBI sets weapons, ammunition storage check

In August 2000, an explosion took place at the NBI, which was blamed on the lack of care for storing explosive materials seized from raids

As a safety precaution following the explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) was advised to inspect its own storage for weapons and ammunition to prevent a similar incident from happening.

The explosion in Lebanon was being blamed on tons of chemicals that have been kept in storage in a single location for six years.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra gave the directive, as reports came in that two Filipinos were killed in the blast last Wednesday, 5 August.

Guevarra said he has no personal knowledge about the presence of any dangerous materials at the NBI compound.

“Just the same, I’ll instruct them to take all necessary precautions in their armory,” Guevarra assured.

In August 2000, which was a Friday the 13th, an explosion took place at the NBI’s Special Investigation Division (SID) office, which was blamed on the lack of care for storing explosive materials seized from raids.

Seven persons were killed, while 12 other individuals were hurt as a result of the explosion at the NBI compound in Manila.

Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has reported that two Filipinos died from the blast, while at least eight Filipinos were among those hurt.

The DFA added 12 other Filipinos remain missing.

There are approximately 33,000 Filipinos in Lebanon, 75 percent of whom are concentrated in the Greater Beirut area.

According to Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab, almost three thousand tons of explosive ammonium nitrate was most likely to have caused the blast, because these had been kept in the port warehouse for six years without the necessary safety measures.