Mystery surrounds Toledo, Talisay blasts

An explosion that was followed by tremors in an upland barangay on the border of Toledo and Talisay cities remains a mystery even to an expert from the Philippine Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

Robinson Giorgio of Phivolcs said they already ruled out the possibility that the explosion came from a nearby mining company’s operations.

He said the explosion could have been caused by natural gas though this has yet to be verified.

But residents didn’t see any holes with fumes or noticed foul odor emanating from the area.

Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak asked the Phivolcs expert to come over to check the suspected site of the explosion.

Giorgio said another possibility is that the sound was caused by a “localized” quake.

“Earthquakes would always produce sounds, a very low-pitched sound, especially when the person is near the source,” he said.

The Phivolcs expert said he needs more time to determine the real source of the sound and tremors in the area.

Tumulak said barangay Manipis is adjacent to barangays Sinsin and Buot-Taup in Cebu City.

The barangays have sent their watchmen to check the area.

The series of explosions and ground shaking has further heightened fear among residents who were still reeling from the effects of the Oct. 15 earthquake.

Authorities plan to let the residents undergo stress debriefing.

Blasting

The explosions and tremors were first experienced Monday morning and resulted in the cancellation of classes in both elementary and high school in the area.

At 8 p.m. that same day, another loud sound from below the ground was heard.

Toledo City police chief Insp. Michael Anthony Bastes tried to verify if the sound originated from the mining sites of the Carmen Copper Corp., formerly Atlas Mining.

“My men came home after I sent them to verify the report. They informed me that Atlas did not have any blasting activities that evening,” Bastes said.

This ruled out the mining site as the source. At 5 a.m. and at 10 a.m. yesterday, the residents reported hearing explosions.

Talisay City Councilor Danny Caballero rushed to the site yesterday. He was told that a loud sound was heard at 5 a.m.

“It cannot be from the mining site. Who would do blasting at dawn?” Caballero said. One barangay health worker said the blast was deafening and followed by a tremor.

Manipis barangay chairman Ben Cabiluna, who lived all his life in the area said the explosion didn’t sound like it came from blasting activities of the mining company.

“I was born here and live here. I’ve heard blasting sounds from Atlas before but the sound we heard last Monday and today were different,” he said. Caballero said the residents don’t want to stay in their houses anymore. “I am now contacting the social workers to arrange for a debriefing,” the Talisay City councilor said.