A vehicle transporting raw materials for an explosive device, intended for a practical exam in the Philippine National Police (PNP) Post Blast Investigation Course (PBIC), exploded in Purok 4, Barangay Poblacion, Libona, Bukidnon, at around 6 am, Tuesday, September 10.
The course, which consists of 40-50 PNP members, was conducting its final demonstration ahead of the students’ graduation on Friday, September 13.
According to Police Major Patrick Castro, head of the Libona Police Station, the class had coordinated the practical exam in advance, with plans to safely set up the device at a designated area.
The group had brought a sedan to be used in the demonstration, but as they began their ascent to the exam site, the pickup truck carrying the explosive materials unexpectedly exploded.
“The instructors had just exited the vehicle when the explosion occurred inside,” Castro said.
The exact component of the explosive materials that triggered the blast remains under investigation. The materials were supposed to be assembled at the designated safety area for the practical exam, Castro explained.
“No fatal injuries occurred, only a minor injury to one instructor who was hit by debris from the vehicle,” he added. The instructor’s name has not yet been released.
The students, who were in separate vehicles, were unharmed in the incident. The Libona Police Station is leading the investigation into the cause of the explosion.
