Explosions at a police armoury in suburban Manila have injured at least 107 people, most of them patients at a nearby clinic, and may have been sparked by lightning, officials said.
Police on Tuesday ruled out sabotage or terrorism. The explosions late on Monday initially raised concerns of foul play in a capital jittery with rumours of coup plots linked to the months-long political crisis surrounding President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, accused of rigging last year's presidential election.... The injured included 101 patients at the drug rehabilitation clinic, four elite police officers and two civilians, police chief Ameto Tolentino said. Demonstrators this month urged Metropolitan Manila police chief Vidal Querol said the explosions shattered windows at his office about 100 metres away. He said the explosions could have been triggered by a lightning strike during a thunderstorm late Monday. Interior Secretary Angelo Reyes sought to reassure the public overnight that the incident was an accident. "There is nothing to be worried about. It was an accident, that's our initial findings, so we can go back to sleep," he said. Ah, that makes me feel so much better....nothing to worry about except carelessness...
the president to resign
