[NYTr] Manila under Red Alert after Explosion

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Prensa Latina, Havana
http://www.plenglish.com

Manila under Red Alert after Explosion

Manila, Oct 20 (Prensa Latina) Police and Army troops have decreed a
red alert in Manila, Philippines, on Saturday, following a bomb
explosion in a shopping center in Makati that killed eight people and
wounded 130 others on Friday.

Director General of National Police Avelino Razon ruled out an
explosion of a gas-leaking tank, as previously said.

The powerful explosion seriously damaged the Glorietta II shopping
center, located in the financial district of Manila, the capital,
including several cars parked outside the building.

A preliminary investigation, based on damages, also rules out liquified
gas as the cause of the explosion, said Razon.

However, it is yet to be defined if it was sabotage. "We are examining
all angles," he asserted, while calling on the population not to let
themselves be dragged by fear.

After the explosion, Police commanders and the Capital Regional Army
decreed a Red Alert, the highest security level.

President Gloria Arroyo, whose office is involved in a new corruption
scandal for embezzlement of public funds, warned the opposition not to
exploit the current crisis faced by her government.

Manila has been target of bomb attacks in the past, including that
against a bus in February 14, 2005, killing three people and wounding
dozens more.

iom rma prl mh

PL-17