Probe into Zamboanga firecrackers, pyrotechnics blasts ongoing

COTABATO CITY — Local executives and the police are investigating who could be held liable for Saturday’s series of explosions of firecrackers and pyrotechnics in a warehouse in Zamboanga City that left five people dead and injured 21 others.

Brig. Gen. Bowenn Joey Masauding, director ng Police Regional Office-9, said on Sunday that investigators and city officials are trying to establish who is answerable for the explosions that resulted in the demise of live-in partners Rolly Limen, 38, and Miriam Gregoria, 37, their three-year-old son, Arden, Ericka Lacastesantos, 18, and the 25-year-old Jonelyn Ramos.

The office of Mayor John Dalipe has been providing support for the 21 Zamboanga City residents injured in the powerful explosions. The victims are now confined in different hospitals.

The powerful explosions inside the warehouse along Marquez Drive in Barangay Tetuan where the firecrackers and pyrotechnics were stored were heard by villagers in barangays around.

Officials of the Zamboanga City Police Office have reportedly invited the Chinese merchant who owned the merchandise, a certain Jojit Chua, for initial questioning regarding the incident.

Dalipe has also reportedly assured to help facilitate the burial of the five fatalities in the explosions.