2007 Glorietta explosion

2007 incident in Makati, Philippines August 2021 December 2022 December 2022 Glorietta 2 Blast Site.png Location of the explosion in Glorietta 2007 10 19 1:25 PM PST Makati, Philippines 14.551140 121.024415 dms title, inline 11 129 On October 19, 2007, an explosion occurred in the Glorietta 2 section of the Glorietta shopping complex at Ayala Center in Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines, at around 1:25 pm (PST). Initial reports indicated that the explosion originated from an LPG tank explosion in a restaurant in the mall.Blast kills four in Philippine capital World The Washington Post October 19, 2007 https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/19/AR2007101900212.html?nav=hcmodule October 19, 2007 June 2021 medicmedic However, authorities were unable to confirm the true nature or source of the explosion. The blast killed eleven people and injured more than a hundred. Background Glorietta was formed under a redevelopment plan that merged the Makati Commercial Center (MCC) and Greenbelt into the unified Ayala Center. This overhaul merged several commercial buildings and shopping arcades around the former Glorietta park into a single indoor mall. As part of this consolidation, Glorietta 2, originally Quad 2, was opened in 1991 on the former site of the Makati Supermart building.https://www.theurbanroamer.com/ayala-center-story-part-3-radical-makeover/ The Ayala Center Story: Part 3 – Radical Makeover November 17, 2020 February 25, 2026 The Urban Roamer While the upper retail levels were fully integrated with the mall, the basement utility infrastructure remained separate and was controlled by the Makati Supermarket Corporation. The explosion The explosion killed eleven people through shrapnel wounds, and at least 126 others were injured. The explosion was first reported to be due to an accidentally ignited LPG tank from Luk Yuen Noodle House at Glorietta 2. However, due to the extensive damage caused by the explosion, the Philippine National Police ruled this out and considered the cause to be a bomb.Thea Alberto "Bomb likely" in Makati mall blast--Razon http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view_article.php?article_id=95462 https://web.archive.org/web/20071021020542/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view_article.php?article_id=95462 dead October 21, 2007 Philippine Daily Inquirer October 19, 2007 October 19, 2007 The Makati Rescue deployed a total of 40 rescue personnel and four emergency medical services (EMS) doctors to conduct search and rescue operations. The initial team of 10 Rescue personnel arrived at the scene some five minutes after the explosion.Makati Rescue to Remain at Glorietta 2 http://www.makati.gov.ph/portal/news/view_news.jsp?news_id=1718 https://web.archive.org/web/20080317001810/http://www.makati.gov.ph/portal/news/view_news.jsp?news_id=1718 dead March 17, 2008 Makati City Portal October 19, 2007 October 22, 2007 Many of the victims were rushed to the Makati Medical Center and the Ospital ng Makati.Blast kills eight and wounds 70 at Philippine mall World The Washington Post October 19, 2007 https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/19/AR2007101900229.html?tid=informbox October 19, 2007June 2021 medicmedicTeves Oliver Blast at Manila shopping Mall kills 4 Yahoo! News Yahoo! Inc. October 19, 2007 https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071019/ap_on_re_as/philippines_explosion_2 October 19, 2007 October 2010 H3llBot Afp.google.com, Eight killed in bombing at Philippines mall https://web.archive.org/web/20071021021104/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5h4CX1dce4ztG-pPJJUOmlFFYKubw October 21, 2007 The National Disaster Coordinating Council, identified 5 of the 11 fatalities as Lester Peregrina, Jose Alan de Jesus, Liza Enriquez and Janine Marcos, and Maureen De Leon. The latter's body was recovered by Philippine National Red Cross rescue teams.http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20071020-95599/Glorietta_death_toll_rises_to_9 Glorietta death toll rises to 9 - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos October 19, 2009 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120923151709/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20071020-95599/Glorietta_death_toll_rises_to_9 September 23, 2012 As the investigation continued four days after the incident, authorities favored the possibility that the blast was caused by an accident and not a terrorist attack. Although traces of RDX (Cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine) were found on-site, this did not form conclusive proof that a bomb was the cause, as RDX also has commercial applications. The most probable cause, according to authorities, was the accumulation of methane gas in the building's septic tanks and as well as other combustible materials in its basement.Inquirer.net, ‘High level of certainty’ mall blast an accident--probers https://web.archive.org/web/20071023171108/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view_article.php?article_id=96202 October 23, 2007 http://www.gmanews.tv/story/65571/Accident-high-certainty-in-Glorietta-blast---DILG-chief GMANews.TV, Accident 'high certainty' in Glorietta blast - DILG chief October 23, 2007 October 23, 2007 October 25, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071025035614/http://www.gmanews.tv/story/65571/Accident-high-certainty-in-Glorietta-blast---DILG-chief live Authorities, however, did not rule out the possibility of a terrorist attack. On November 22, 2007, the PNP concluded that the explosion was caused by gas, and not a bomb. However they were still unsure how it happened. The police settled on the negligence angle.Inquirer.net, (UPDATE) Gas not bomb caused Makati mall blast -- PNP https://web.archive.org/web/20080212124012/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view_article.php?article_id=102500 February 12, 2008 Final report and lawsuits On January 8, 2008, Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI)'s commissioned foreign experts found that the explosion was caused by a bomb with RDX components - cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (used in military and industrial applications, in C-4, a plastic bomb). Abs-Cbn Interactive, Source: ALI's probe result says Glorietta was bombedJanuary 2017 InternetArchiveBot yes On January 10, 2008, Chief Superintendent Luizo Ticman announced that criminal cases of "reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, physical injuries and damage to property" were to be filed against engineers Arnel Gonzales, Jowell Velvez, and Marcelo Botenes of the Ayala Property Management Corporation, and Candelario Valqueza of the Makati Supermarket Corporation; engineer Clifford Arriola, Joselito Buenaventura, Charlie Nepomuceno, Jonathan Ibuna, and Juan Ricafort of Marchem Industrial Sales and Service Inc.; for violation of the Fire Code: engineer Ricardo Cruz, operations manager of Metalline Enterprises and its foreman, Miguel Velasco; gross neglect of duty causing undue injury: Makati Fire Station Senior Fire Officer 4 Anthony Grey, SFO2 Leonilo Balais, Senior Inspector Reynaldo Enoc, and Chief Inspector Jose Embang Jr.; Makati Fire Station chief - "for simple neglect of duty-for failure to review and validate before issuing fire safety inspection certificate."https://archive.today/20070709212017/http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=105072 www.abs-cbnnews.com, PNP: Two gas explosions hit Glorietta Ticman stated that per final report signed by DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno - "no bomb components were found at the basement of Glorietta 2 mall; the absence of any crater, bomb/explosive residue, or improvised explosive device in the "seat of explosion; no soot or blackening on the concave ceiling. The Multi-Agency Investigation Task Force final report detailed that the 1st blast was a methane explosion at 1:31 pm as the "gas accumulated after knee-deep water, diesel, human and kitchen waste at the mall's allegedly poorly ventilated basement was left unattended for 76 days"; the 2nd blast was "a diesel vapor explosion at 1:32 pm; the National Bureau of Investigation "identified the possible source of ignition" - the motor control panel of waste pumps two and three at the basement; rise in temperature caused by the methane gas triggered the 2nd explosion. The Australian Federal Police and US ambassador Kristie Kenney confirmed the US experts' findings similar to the police's investigation results which supported the MAITF's findings. newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews, 15 to be charged in mall blast--police https://web.archive.org/web/20080316042422/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view/20080110-111531/UPDATE-Glorietta-2-execs-to-be-charged March 16, 2008 On January 11, 2008, Ticman personally filed the complaint against the 15 accused at the Department of Justice in Manila.http://www.gmanews.tv/story/76156/15-in-Glorietta-2-blast-formally-charged GMA NEWS.TV, 15 in Glorietta 2 blast formally charged January 11, 2008 January 11, 2008 May 22, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110522035023/http://www.gmanews.tv/story/76156/15-in-Glorietta-2-blast-formally-charged live On January 16, 2008, Kit Collier, an International Crisis Group consultant and international terror and insurgency expert, told foreign media members at a forum in Makati that he doubted the delayed final report of the PNP's findings that Glorietta 2 blast was due to a gas explosion. Collier noted the traces of RDX, or cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine, an explosive component, found in the site. Malaysian expert Aini Ling, commissioned by Ayala Land Inc.'s (ALI) investigation, stated in her report, that a bomb caused the explosion, due to RDX traces at the blast site. Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Raul M. Gonzalez announced a preliminary investigation on the criminal complaints filed by police.https://archive.today/20070709212017/http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=105685 Abs-Cbn Interactive, Foreign experts cast doubts on PNP's Glorietta blast findings On January 22, 2008, Secretary Gonzalez absolved Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI), the attached company of holding company for Real Estate Ayala Corporation, from liability in the 2007 Glorietta explosion, but stated that Ayala Property Management, Inc. (APMC) was still under investigation.Ayala Land inabswelto ng DOJ sa Glorietta blast https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/ulatfilipino/77590/ayala-land-inabswelto-ng-doj-sa-glorietta-blast/story/ 27 October 2023 GMA News Online 22 January 2008 tl The Department of Justice's "Task Force Glorietta" on May 22, 2008, recommended the filing of criminal cases of "reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and multiple physical injuries" against 8 accused—Candelario Valdueza, project engineer of Makati Supermarket Corporation (MSC), Clifford Arriola, operations manager of Marchem Industrial Sales and Services Inc.; Joselito Buenaventura, Marchem supervisor; Charlie Nepomuceno, Jonathan Ibuna, and Juan Ricaport, all Marchem maintenance personnel; Engr. Ricardo Cruz, operations manager of Metalline Enterprises, and foreman Miguel Velasco Jr. The report however cleared the other suspects.http://www.gmanews.tv/story/96717/Engineer-7-others-face-raps-over-Glorietta-blast GMA NEWS.TV, Engineer, 7 others face raps over Glorietta blast May 22, 2008 May 22, 2008 October 28, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101028222350/http://www.gmanews.tv/story/96717/engineer-7-others-face-raps-over-glorietta-blast live The 51-page resolution rejected Ayala Land Inc.'s bomb explosion theory, supported the police's biogas explosion evidence, and cleared Ayala Land Inc. and its engineers, citing that the Makati Supermarket Corporation owned the building and none of its equipment was supplied or designed by Ayala Land Inc.Fonbuena Carmela Why DOJ dismissed case vs. Ayala Land in Glorietta blast https://www.abs-cbn.com/nation/05/22/08/why-doj-dismissed-case-vs-ayala-land-glorietta-blast 28 October 2023 ABS-CBN News 22 May 2008 Settlement Ayala Land Inc. offered each of the families of the 11 blast victims a 4 million yes house and 1 million in cash by way of a settlement. Included were Marie de Jesus, Melanie Arroyo, Carlo Cruz, and Amado Pertas, among others.inquirer.net, Widow remembers Glorietta blast https://web.archive.org/web/20081017043014/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20081016-166644/Widow-remembers-Glorietta-blast October 17, 2008 newsinfo.inquirer.net, GLORIETTA BLAST ‘I just tell her, mom's in heaven’ https://web.archive.org/web/20081017223847/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20081017-166879/I-just-tell-her-moms-in-heaven October 17, 2008 Aftermath The day after the blast, normal operations continued in Glorietta after engineers inspecting the remaining parts of the mall found them structurally sound. Glorietta 2 remained closed, and some of the stores in the rest of the mall, mostly fast-food chains, remained closed.Inquirer.net, Back to normal at the malls the morning after https://web.archive.org/web/20071021090615/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view_article.php?article_id=95721 October 21, 2007 As part of the existing Ayala Center redevelopment, tenants of Glorietta 1 and 2 were given an option to relocate to the newly constructed Glorietta 5; Glorietta 1 and 2 underwent reconstruction, with the addition of two office buildings, Holiday Inn & Suites Makati, and a roof deck called Top of the Glo. Tenants accepted the option, moving them until January 1, 2010. Reaction Ayala Land promised to cover the medical bills of those injured by the explosion. The United States and the United Kingdom, through their respective embassies expressed sympathy for the victims of the explosion, promising assistance to the Philippine government and the PNP in the investigation. Inquirer.net, US, UK embassies express sympathy for blast victims https://web.archive.org/web/20071021021649/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view_article.php?article_id=95518 October 21, 2007 http://www.gmanews.tv/story/65146/NDCC-identifies-4-of-8-fatalities-in-Glorietta-2-blast GMA NEWS.TV, NDCC identifies 4 of 8 fatalities in Glorietta 2 blast October 19, 2007 October 19, 2007 October 21, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071021015616/http://www.gmanews.tv/story/65146/NDCC-identifies-4-of-8-fatalities-in-Glorietta-2-blast live President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo stated that there would be a full investigation of the explosion. She also said that the police and military were on their highest alert status, and that an additional 2,000 security officers were being deployed in public areas.https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/20/world/asia/20phils.html The New York Times Carlos H. Conde Blast at Mall Kills 8 in Philippines October 20, 2007 February 21, 2017 June 5, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150605075139/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/20/world/asia/20phils.html live In media The 2007 blast was featured in a 2009 episode of GMA Network's Case Unclosed hosted by Arnold Clavio.https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/publicaffairs/content/176242/glorietta-bombing/story/ Glorietta Bombing GMA News November 3, 2009 October 13, 2024https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fskPgtuMaU PAGSABOG SA ISANG MALL SA MAKATI CITY NOONG 2007, ANO NGA BA ANG TOTOONG DAHILAN? Case Unclosed 2025-10-19 GMA Public Affairs 2026-03-24 YouTube See also 2013 Serendra explosion, another explosion involving an Ayala Land property 2017 Davao City mall fire, another shopping mall-related incident in the Philippines References 2 External links Philippines The Glorietta Blast, a Special Microsite for the Tragedy in Glorietta - from the Philippine Daily Inquirer https://archive.today/20070709211659/http://uw1.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryID=96375 abs-cbnnews.com, Initial photos in Makati blast el manilatimes.net, Chronology of events GMA NEWS.TV, Report on Glorietta 2 explosion posted online pnp.gov.ph/press, Glorietta 2 Explosion Report Ayala Land Corporate Website Category:Makati Central Business District Glorietta Explosion, 2007 Category:2007 industrial disasters Category:2007 explosions Category:History of Metro Manila Category:Makati Category:October 2007 in the Philippines