IOHSAD seeks probe, accountability in fatal Marikina factory blast

The Institute for Occupational Health and Safety Development (IOHSAD) on Wednesday, 9 July, called for accountability following the death of two workers in Marikina.

The workers were employees of Armscor Global Defense Inc., a firearms and ammunition manufacturer located in Barangay Fortune, Marikina. They were killed in an explosion that occurred Monday afternoon, 7 July. One other employee was also injured in the blast.

Initial investigations suggest that the explosion was triggered by the ignition of a component called a “primer,” possibly due to static friction.

In a statement, IOHSAD urged the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation into what it described as a workplace tragedy.

“Exposure to deadly risks must never be normalized, especially in hazardous and high-risk industries like arms and ammunition manufacturing," IOHSAD said.
"Companies in these sectors have an even greater responsibility to uphold the life, health, and safety of their workers.”

The group stressed the need for a comprehensive occupational safety and health (OSH) probe into Armscor’s operations.

This was not the first such incident at the same facility. In February 2024, a similar explosion caused a fire and injured several workers.

The recurrence of explosions at the site, IOHSAD said, "raises serious concerns about the company’s compliance with OSH standards and preventive measures."

“There must be accountability. It is not enough to acknowledge the incident. We must investigate potential violations of safety and health standards. If negligence is proven, the company must be held responsible,” the group said.

From January to June 2025, IOHSAD recorded more than 130 work-related deaths nationwide. It said these repeated tragedies underscore the urgency of amending the existing OSH Law to criminalize violations—particularly those that result in loss of life.

The group also revealed that all three victims in the latest Armscor explosion were contractual workers, highlighting how labor contracting practices often expose workers to unsafe conditions.

“Contractual workers are often denied adequate protection and training, yet are assigned to the most hazardous tasks. This practice puts their lives on the line every day,” IOHSAD said.

"IOHSAD stands in solidarity with the families of the victims and is ready to provide full support in their pursuit of justice and rightful compensation."

The organization reaffirmed its commitment to push for stronger workplace safety laws, including the criminalization of OSH violations, to ensure that no more lives are lost to preventable industrial accidents.