At this point in time, experts believe that the explosion which rocked Glorietta 2 was caused by a bomb, not a LPG tank. Eight persons died, while more than a hundred were injured. According to the Philippine Red Cross, as of midnight, a total of 113 persons are on the injured list. Five persons are still missing. The police are on heightened alert.
Glorietta 2 has been determined as Ground Zero. Preliminary pictures show a large crater. The walls and ceiling of the Glorietta have been completely destroyed by the blast! More than 100 stalls were damaged and scores of stores were completely destroyed by the explosion! Shockwaves also shattered the windows of nearby establishments and damaged countless vehicles in the vicinity of the mall. The management of Ayala Land Inc. decided to close Glorietta 1, 2, 3, and 4 after the incident. A Red Cross Center has been put up in front of Park Square 2.
Ayala Land Inc.’s (ALI) Fernando Zobel de Ayala personally visited Ground Zero and some of the families of those who died in the explosion. ALI promised to shoulder the victims’ medical costs. According to doctors, the victims suffered from blast injuries in different forms, e.g., body and facial area. Most are still stunned. Meanwhile, tensions mount at the Makati Medical Center as medical personnel continue to bring in survivors. Hundreds of Filipinos continue to flock to Makati Medical Center to determine the fate of their love ones. Most have been described as emotional.
Ayala Land Inc. is still investigating the nature of the explosion. Tomorrow, October 20, 2007, the company’s structural engineers will visit the Glorietta mall to determine the full extent of the damage and assess the integrity of the building to determine and address safety concerns.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Avelino Razon Jr. believes that the explosion was caused by a bomb, not a LPG tank. Razon ruled out LPG leak as the cause of the blast due to the extent of the damage that the explosion wrought upon its surroundings. There was also no sign of a fire after the blast! Importantly, components of C4 and other explosives have been found at the scene! Experts estimated that at least 2 kilos of high explosive were used! Police are still recovering pieces of evidence to reconstruct bomb and determine possible reasons for the explosion. From there, they will start the investigation.
It was past 7:00 PM when President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, together with Health Secretary Francisco Duque and Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Esperanza Cabral, went to the Makati Medical Center to visit the victims. Two patients are still in critical condition. Four have been declared Dead on Arrival; two males, two females. According to doctors, the survivors suffered injuries in the category of blast injuries. After 30 minutes, Arroyo left the hospital.
Members of the Presidential Security Group escorted Health Secretary Francisco Duque back to the Makati Medical Center. Duque pledged that the government will take care of the victims’ medical expenses.
A total of 34 persons were brought to the Ospital ng Makati. Most of the victims suffered from bruises and broken bones. A significant number had head injuries. All showed evident signs of trauma from the incident. At this point in time, only two remain in the said hospital.
The PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have been placed on Full Alert and Red Alert, respectively, after the incident. The duration of the alerts will depend on the outcome of the assessments of the PNP and AFP in the next 24 hours. Police and K-9 units have been placed on inspection duty at key points in the metro, e.g., petroleum depots, Light Rail Transit (LRT) stations, and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Police visibility is the order of the day.
The US Embassy has issued this advisory:
- Please avoid travel to the Glorietta area at this time as of post blast investigation.
THIS JUST IN! Ayala Land Inc. has announced that from Glorietta 1, 3, and 4 will resume operations from 10 AM on October 20, 2007. It has determined that the mall is safe for the general public.
Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) offered prayers and condolences to the victims and relatives of the explosion in Makati City.
- "We express our condolences to the victims and their families who suffered from the explosion at the Glorietta mall in Makati City," a statement issued by CBCP said.
- CBCP President Angel Lagdameo said the explosion has diverted the nation’s focus and added up to the “common national problems" seeking a satisfactory solution. Lagdameo called on Filipinos to pray for the solution of the country's problems.
- Earlier this week, Lagdameo lamented what he called the "moral bankruptcy" of the administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. - I totally agree! And I kid you not!
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*Much thanks to GMANews.TV for the pic!
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Matchroom Sports has awarded Filipino pool player Antonio Gabica, aka Gaga, a wildcard entry into the 128 man starting line-up of the 2007 World Pool Championship, which will be held from November 3 to 11, 2007, at the Araneta Coliseum in 
