Armscor Global Defense Inc. (AGDI) announced it will provide full assistance to the families of two employees killed in an explosion at its firearms manufacturing factory Monday afternoon.

A third employee, who was injured in the blast, has been discharged from the hospital and is recovering at home, according to a statement released Tuesday by Martin Tuason, AGDI chairman, president and CEO.

“All the necessary assistance and support is being extended to the family of the deceased,” Tuason said, extending his sympathies and condolences.

Initial investigations by the Marikina-Philippine National Police indicate the three victims were making bullets when a primer, a component designed to detonate gunpowder, suddenly exploded.

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

One victim reportedly suffered amputations to both hands, another sustained severe chest injuries and the third an eye injury.

Fernandez explained that friction may have caused the primer to ignite.

“This is for making bullets, a component to make bullets, and it can explode,” he said. “The EOD K-9 said that because our bodies have friction, sometimes when we are next to someone it’s like we get an electric shock, it ignites, it’s hot.”

Investigators believe one of the victims may have been opening a primer, leading to the friction that sparked the explosion.

Tuason affirmed that AGDI is fully cooperating with the Philippine National Police and other government agencies for a thorough and transparent investigation and stressed that the company has always strictly complied with international standards, industry practices and local regulations, including PNP inspections.

“Every employee is regarded as a valued member of the AGDI family, and as such, their safety and welfare are, and have always been, our top priority,” Tuason said. “That is why we are leaving no stone unturned in getting to the bottom of the unfortunate accident.”

Operations at the factory have been temporarily halted while the investigation is ongoing. Despite the company’s pledge of assistance, authorities said AGDI could still face legal liability for the incident.