2 DIE, 1 HURT IN MARIKINA GUN FACTORY BLAST

2 PEOPLE died while one was injured in an explosion that occurred inside a gun manufacturing factory in Bgy. Fortune, Marikina City.

The victims were employees of Armscor Global Defense Incorporated, a firearms and ammunition manufacturer.

One of the victims lost a hand, another suffered chest injuries, while the third was hit in the eye during the explosion.

Marikina City police chief Col. Geoffrey Fernandez said the two victims died while being treated at the Amang Rodriguez Medical Center.

The third victim, who sustained injuries in the eye and ear, is now in a stable condition.

An investigation showed that a box containing a primer suddenly exploded, severely injuring the three employees. They were immediately rushed to the hospital.

The third victim was transferred to the Marikina Valley Medical Center for further treatment,

“’Yung primer, ito ‘yung sa paggawa ng bala, isang component  para makagawa ng bala, at ito ay pwedeng sumabog. Sabi ng EOD K-9 (Explosive Ordnance Disposa and Canine Unit) ay dahil ‘yung katawan natin ay may friction, ‘di ba minsan kapag may katabi tayo parang makukuryente tayo, nag-ignite, mainit,” Fernandez explained.

The official said they are still conducting an investigation regarding the blast.

“Aalamin natin kung sumusunod ang factory sa safety protocoals at international standards. Babalikan po namin ang cctv para malaman ang tunay na pangyayari,” the Marikina police chief said.

In February last year, an explosion at the gun factory’s storage unit for gun powders also occurred which led to a fire. 

Meanwhile, the gun factory said that it is already coordinating with the authorities. 

 “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,” Armscor Global Defense said in a statement,

“We are closely cooperating with the PNP to determine the cause of the explosion, and will provide updates as they come,”  it added.