MANILA, Philippines -- Respondents in the bombing incident last year at a mall in Makati City failed to attend the first preliminary investigation conducted by the Department of Justice (DoJ) Monday.

Only lawyers of the respondents appeared before the panel chaired by Senior State Prosecutor Leo Dacera and asked for an extension to file their counter-affidavits on the explosion at the Glorietta 2 where close to a dozen people were killed and over 100 injured.

The panel allowed the extension and gave them up to March 26 to submit their affidavit.

Respondents are Fire Prevention Officer Reynaldo Enoc from the Makati Fire Station along with Senior Fire Officer 2 Leonilo Balais and Senior Fire Officer 4 Anthony Grey -- all from the Fire Safety Inspection unit of the BFP.

Other respondents are Engineers Candelario Vadueza, Marcelo Botones, Jonathan Ibuna, Juan Ricafort, Charlie Nepomuceno, Joselito Buenaventura and Clifford Arriola -- all maintenance personnel of the mall.

They are facing a complaint for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and multiple physical injuries and damage to property.