2 dead, 1 injured in Marikina gun factory explosion

Two people died and another was severely injured after an explosion occurred inside a gun factory in Barangay Fortune, Marikina City, on Monday afternoon.

All victims were employees of the firearms manufacturing firm Armscor Global Defense Inc. (AGDI).

Marikina police chief Col. Geoffrey Fernandez said the three victims, who were assigned to the factory’s ammunition section, were immediately brought by Marikina Rescue 161 to Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center.

Fernandez said one of the victims had both hands amputated, one sustained a severe chest injury, and the third suffered an eye injury due to the explosion.

“Ito yung sa paggawa ng bala, isang component para makagawa ng bala, at ito ay puwedeng 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.

An initial investigation found that one of the victims allegedly opened a primer—a part of a bullet that detonates gunpowder—which may have sparked due to friction, triggering the blast.

Although Armscor management promised to extend assistance to the victims, authorities said the company could still face legal liability for the incident.

In a statement Tuesday, AGDI Chairman and President Martin Tuason said they sympathize with the two employees who died and will also provide assistance to the third victim, who has since been released from the hospital.

Fernandez added that factory operations have been temporarily halted as the investigation continues.