2 dead, 1 injured in guns manufacturing facility blast in Marikina City

MANILA (3RD UPDATE) — Two employees of Armscor Global Defense Incorporated, a firearms and ammunition manufacturer located in Barangay Fortune, Marikina City, were killed following an explosion that occurred at around 2:15 p.m. Monday.

Another employee was injured.

According to P/Col. Geoffrey Fernandez, chief of the Marikina City Police, the three victims were making bullets when a component called a primer suddenly exploded.

“Ito yung sa paggawa ng bala, isang component  para makagawa ng bala, at ito ay pwedeng sumabog,Sabi ng EOD  K-9  ay dahil yung katawan natin ay may friction di ba minsan kapag may katabi tayo parang makukuryente tayo, nag-ignite, mainit,” Fernandez explained.

Fernandez later confirmed that two the victims was pronounced dead at Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center due to injuries sustained in the blast.

Another employee of Armscor Global Defense Inc. remains in the hospital.

The explosion was heard outside the compound.

“May dalawa po ako narinig na pagsabog, bigla na lang pumutok, parang granada ganoon kalakas,” said street vendor Jon Padilles.

The Philippine National Police Explosive and Ordnance Division is investigating the incident.

Authorities are also looking into the legal liability of the company.

In a statement, Amscor Global Defense said will cooperate with the police to determine the cause of the explosion.

“Rest assured that in its decades of operation, AGDI has been strictly compliant with all applicable international standards and practices, along with local regulations as well as inspections conducted by the Philippine National Police,” it said.

“We are closely cooperating with the PNP to determine the cause of the explosion, and will provide updates as they come. And ARMSCOR’s employees welfare is the company’s top priority,” it added.