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2007 Glorietta explosion
2007 Glorietta explosion
2007 Glorietta explosion
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2007 Glorietta explosion
Location of the explosion in Glorietta
Map
DateOctober 19, 2007 (2007-10-19)
Time1:25 PM PST
LocationMakati, Philippines
Coordinates14°33′04″N 121°01′28″E / 14.551140°N 121.024415°E / 14.551140; 121.024415
Deaths11
Non-fatal injuries129

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.[1] 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.

The explosion

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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. 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.[2] 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.[3]

Many of the victims were rushed to the Makati Medical Center and the Ospital ng Makati.[4][5][6] 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.[7]

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.[8][9] Authorities, however, did not rule out the possibility of a terrorist attack.[9]

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.[10]

Final report and lawsuits

[edit]

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).[11] 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 Corp.; 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."[12] 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.[13] On January 11, 2008, Ticman personally filed the complaint against the 15 accused at the Department of Justice in Manila.[14]

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.[15] 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.[16]

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 Corp. (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.[17] 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.[18]

Settlement

[edit]

Ayala Land Inc. offered each of the families of the 11 blast victims a ₱4 million 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.[19][20]

Aftermath

[edit]

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.[21]

As part of the 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

[edit]

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.[22][23] 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.[24]

In media

[edit]

The 2007 blast was featured in a 2009 episode of GMA Network's Case Unclosed hosted by Arnold Clavio.[25]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

2007 Glorietta explosion

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The 2007 Glorietta explosion was a powerful blast that struck the Glorietta 2 mall in , Makati City, , , on 19 October 2007, killing 11 people and injuring more than 100 others. The explosion originated in a area beneath the mall, creating a and scattering across the site. investigators initially considered both accidental and terrorist causes but found no evidence of bomb fragments, explosive residue, or a typical blast indicative of a planted device. Subsequent probes, including by the Department of Justice in 2011 and an independent review in 2018, concluded the incident resulted from the ignition of gas vapors, likely from sewer lines or accumulated residues in the subsurface, rather than an intentional bombing. Despite these findings, controversy persisted, as a retired colonel involved in early forensics claimed the blast patterns and residue pointed to an bomb, alleging a by authorities to downplay risks amid ongoing insurgencies. , the mall's operator, disputed initial police theories favoring gas buildup, citing maintenance records, while the later rejected their claim partly due to unresolved causation disputes. The event prompted calls for legislative inquiries into building safety and emergency response in commercial complexes.

Background

Security Context in Metro Manila

Metro Manila, the densely populated economic and political hub of the , contended with elevated risks of terrorist bombings from Islamist militant networks in the years preceding 2007. Groups including the Group (ASG), an Al-Qaeda-linked organization known for targeting civilian infrastructure to generate fear and economic disruption, and (JI), which provided training and operational support to local cells, extended their activities from insurgencies to urban centers in . These threats stemmed from ASG's evolution from a separatist faction into a transnational terrorist entity, with JI facilitating bomb-making expertise and ideological alignment, as evidenced by joint plots documented in regional counterterrorism assessments. Several incidents underscored the vulnerability of commercial and public spaces in Metro Manila to such attacks. On May 21, 2000, a bombing at a megamall killed one person, while the on December 30, 2000, involved multiple explosions across the region, resulting in 22 deaths and over 100 injuries in areas including and . Additional strikes included a bus bombing on , 2002, killing two, and the Superferry 14 attack on February 27, 2004, near , which claimed 116 lives. These operations, primarily attributed to ASG with JI involvement in planning and execution, targeted high-traffic venues to maximize casualties and media impact, reflecting a pattern of improvised explosive devices deployed in soft targets. By 2007, the cumulative toll from Islamist bombings since 2000 exceeded 1,700 killed or injured nationwide, with urban repeatedly affected, as seen in the attacks on , 2005, that struck the capital alongside southern sites. Philippine authorities responded with legislative measures, including the Human Security Act of 2007, enacted in February to criminalize terrorism and enable surveillance and detention powers against suspected plotters. Security protocols in emphasized by the , bolstered by U.S. cooperation through joint operations and training, though gaps in mall screening and coordination persisted amid ongoing threats from ASG remnants and JI affiliates.

Glorietta Complex Overview

The Glorietta Complex, part of the in City, , , serves as a major shopping and entertainment hub in the country's central business district. Developed by , it comprises multiple interconnected buildings housing retail outlets, dining establishments, and leisure facilities, strategically positioned adjacent to office towers, hotels, and the Ayala MRT station for accessibility. The complex forms a key component of the 50-hectare , emphasizing pedestrian-friendly design with linkages to nearby Greenbelt malls. Originally constructed in the 1970s as an open-air suburban , underwent significant renovations starting in 1988 to convert it into a fully enclosed, modern retail destination. The initial phases opened in 1990, with subsequent expansions including III in 1993 and IV in 1999, achieving a gross leasable area of approximately 250,000 square meters by the early . This transformation positioned it as one of the largest malls in the at the time, drawing from incremental growth to integrate with surrounding commercial infrastructure without full reconstruction. Prior to 2007, Glorietta featured over 400 stores across its zones, including department stores, cinemas with 15 screens, a large , and options like arcades, catering to a diverse clientele of locals, expatriates, and tourists in Makati's affluent district. Its role extended beyond shopping, functioning as a social and economic anchor with proximity to 5,108 parking spaces and public transit, underscoring Ayala Land's focus on urban vitality in Manila's premier business locale.

The Incident

Sequence of Events

On October 19, 2007, a powerful occurred in the parking area of Glorietta 2, a shopping wing within the complex in City, . The blast, reported shortly after noon, originated underground and propagated upward, shattering the ground-floor glass facade, collapsing sections of the structure, and ejecting debris across the surrounding open-air promenade. Eyewitness accounts described a sudden, thunderous boom akin to muffled thunder, accompanied by a massive shockwave that hurled people like dolls, filled the air with thick dust and smoke, and triggered fires in nearby compartments. Immediate pandemonium ensued as hundreds of shoppers, diners, and employees inside the bustling midday mall scrambled for exits amid falling and collapsing ceilings. The damaged multiple storefronts, toppled roofs over the parking zone, and impacted vehicles parked nearby, with reports of at least eight instantaneous fatalities and over 100 injuries from , lacerations, and burns. Security personnel and bystanders initiated hasty evacuations, while the blast's force created a visible in the floor, exacerbating the scene with secondary structural failures. Within minutes, alerts reached emergency responders, who arrived to cordon the area and begin of the wounded, transporting victims to and Ospital ng Makati. The complex's other sections were swiftly locked down, halting all activities as police secured the site for investigation amid initial suspicions of a terrorist bombing. Three more deaths followed in hospitals, raising the toll to 11, with the event paralyzing the financial district's routine operations for hours.

Immediate Damage and Casualties

The explosion on October 19, 2007, in Glorietta 2 resulted in 11 deaths—including Liza Enriquez, Janine Marcos, Jose Allan de Jesus, and Lester Peregrina—and more than 100 injuries, primarily from blast trauma, shrapnel, and collapsing . Initial reports from the scene estimated eight fatalities and around 70 to 130 wounded, with the toll rising as rescue efforts uncovered additional victims. Structural damage was concentrated in the mall's atrium and basement parking area, where the blast originated, leading to shattered glass fronts, damaged storefronts, and compromised upper-level flooring. The force of the tore through multiple floors, scattering debris across the busy commercial space and necessitating the evacuation and partial closure of the complex. No immediate reports indicated widespread collapse beyond the affected zones, though inspections later confirmed localized integrity issues requiring repairs.

Emergency Response

Rescue and Medical Efforts

![Damage at Glorietta 2 blast site][float-right] Emergency responders mobilized immediately following the explosion at approximately 1:30 p.m. on , 2007, in the parking area beneath Glorietta 2. security personnel, including guard Eduardo Jalem, assisted injured individuals by checking and coordinating their transfer to stretchers for handover to professional rescue teams. San Lorenzo units arrived within two to three minutes, retrieving nine to ten bodies that were and coordinating with local police. The Rescue Team, comprising over 30 trained personnel, deployed 15 members under operations officer Anthony Melendres to establish a command post at nearby Park Square 2 and conduct systematic operations amid collapsed structures. The Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), led on-site by Assistant Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang, coordinated with city officials to search for victims, set up welfare desks, facilitate blood donations, and provide psycho-social support; a PNRC team under Chairman Richard Gordon recovered the remains of victim Reinier Tan from debris at the atrium base at 2:00 a.m. on 20. Search efforts extended into October 20, hampered by thick dust, knee-deep water in the basement, and fallen cement from upper floors obstructing access to potential missing persons. Injured victims, numbering over 113, were transported primarily to local facilities including , where Dr. Danny Anastacio oversaw the and reported survival of all patients requiring surgery, and Ospital ng Makati, managed by Dr. Julius Drilon for 34 cases with efficient . Many sustained minor injuries treatable on-site or leading to quick discharge, while the eleven fatalities included those trapped under rubble. The PNRC's rapid deployment was commended by authorities for augmenting the overall response.

Initial Security Measures

Following the explosion in Glorietta 2 on October 19, 2007, at approximately 1:30 PM, police and security forces immediately cordoned off the blast site and surrounding areas of the mall to prevent unauthorized access and check for secondary devices. This rapid response facilitated the evacuation of shoppers from the complex while allowing emergency personnel to enter. The (PNP) promptly declared a heightened alert status across , ordering all units to full alert in anticipation of possible follow-up attacks, given the initial suspicion of a bombing. The Armed Forces of the Philippines also placed its forces on the highest alert level nationwide. President convened an emergency meeting of the later that day to coordinate the security response. These measures reflected standard protocols for suspected terrorist incidents in the , where groups like had a history of bombings, though no immediate arrests or claims of responsibility emerged. The PNP later cited lapses in the mall's internal security as contributing factors that necessitated the post-incident escalation.

Investigations and Findings

Official Probes by PNP and Government

The (PNP), through its (NCRPO), initiated an immediate investigation following the October 19, 2007, explosion at Glorietta 2 in Makati City, treating it initially as a potential terrorist act amid heightened security concerns in the . The probe involved scene examination, collection of debris for forensic analysis, interviews with over 100 witnesses, and review of footage, with early focus on blast residue and crater patterns to distinguish between explosive devices and accidental causes. PNP deployed bomb-sniffing dogs and explosive ordnance disposal teams on site, while coordinating with the Department of Justice and the for inter-agency support. Foreign technical assistance was enlisted, including from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), who provided expertise in blast dynamics and chemical analysis. By October 24, 2007, preliminary PNP assessments indicated a possible rather than a planted bomb, based on the absence of typical high-explosive signatures like or C4 residues. AFP reports, cited by NCRPO Director Geary Barias, confirmed the blast originated from ignition of (LPG) vapors, likely from underground storage tanks or sewer lines beneath the mall, exacerbated by poor ventilation and maintenance. The government, via the , urged PNP to deliver a transparent report, emphasizing over . On October 31, 2007, despite foreign experts concluding an accidental , PNP announced it would persist in exploring leads but aligned with the non-bomb determination, attributing the incident to operational by mall management in handling fuel systems. By November 2007, PNP closed the criminal investigation as accidental, recommending administrative charges against for safety lapses, though it welcomed calls for independent verification without anticipating altered conclusions. The findings emphasized a fuel-air vapor ignition mechanism, with the blast's wave consistent with confined LPG rather than a .

Technical Evidence on Explosion Cause

The explosion on October 19, 2007, originated in the basement parking area beneath Glorietta 2, creating a crater approximately 1.2 meters deep and 5 meters wide in the concrete floor. This damage pattern, characterized by an upward-directed blast fracturing the ceiling above and ejecting debris through the ground floor, aligned with the dynamics of a vapor cloud explosion rather than a high-explosive detonation, which typically produces radial shrapnel and shallower, wider craters. Forensic chemical analysis conducted by the (PNP) Forensic Group on debris, swab samples, and air residues from the blast site detected no traces of common high explosives, including RDX, PETN, TNT, or . Laboratory tests instead identified elevated levels of gas and diesel hydrocarbons, consistent with accumulation from leaking underground storage tanks and organic decomposition in systems within the basement, where recent excavation work had disturbed barriers. Seismic data from nearby monitoring stations recorded a single, prolonged pressure pulse indicative of a process, differing from the sharp, high-frequency signature of solid blasts. An independent assessment by Australian forensic experts, invited to examine the site, corroborated the PNP findings, attributing the event to ignition of a methane-diesel vapor mixture in a confined, poorly ventilated space, producing overpressures equivalent to 300-500 kg of TNT but without residual explosive signatures. No fragments, wiring, or components were recovered despite extensive sifting of rubble, and injury patterns—primarily blast lung, ruptures, and structural collapses rather than penetrating wounds—further supported a gaseous fuel-air over a planted device. Private analyses commissioned by , including one by Malaysian engineer Aini Ling, reported detection of RDX residues in select samples, suggesting a possible component. However, these results were contested by PNP chemists, who argued the samples may have been contaminated during collection or misinterpreted low-level organic nitrates as explosives, and subsequent re-testing by government labs yielded negative results for such compounds. A review of archived evidence reaffirmed the absence of verifiable explosive traces, dismissing alternative claims lacking peer-reviewed validation.

Controversies and Alternative Views

Terrorism Hypothesis and Supporting Claims

Initial police assessments following the , , explosion at 2 did not rule out a bomb attack, citing the blast's power and the presence of a roughly 10 meters wide and 2 meters deep in the parking area beneath the mall. Investigators recovered a bag containing , a primary ingredient in C4 plastic explosives, near the blast site, fueling suspicions of a deliberate high-explosive device. The damage pattern, including reinforced concrete columns shattered in a manner consistent with blast overpressure from a high-velocity rather than a slower-burning gas , was cited by independent experts as evidence against the official theory. Proponents of the hypothesis argued that the focused destruction and lack of extensive fire—typical in gas explosions—suggested a planted aimed at maximizing casualties in a crowded commercial hub. Calls for scientific simulations to validate the gas leak narrative highlighted perceived weaknesses in the Philippine National Police's conclusions, with some urging transparency from international probes involving the FBI and Australian experts. In a 2018 ruling denying Ayala Land's claim for blast damages, the Philippine affirmed that the incident involved an , characterizing it as an act of excluded from standard policy coverage. This judicial determination lent weight to claims of foul play, contrasting with assertions of an accidental cause and prompting ongoing skepticism about potential destabilization motives amid political tensions at the time.

Critiques of the Official Narrative

Critiques of the official attribution of the October 19, 2007, Glorietta 2 explosion to a methane gas buildup in a septic tank have centered on forensic inconsistencies, expert analyses questioning the gas hypothesis, and perceived flaws in the Philippine National Police (PNP) investigation. Initial PNP reports detected traces of RDX, a component of C-4 explosives, leading some officials, including Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Hermogenes Esperon Jr., to describe the incident as a terrorist act; these findings were later dismissed as insignificant contamination, prompting skepticism about the shift to a non-terrorism narrative. Independent analyses have highlighted traces of high explosives in post-blast samples. Malaysian engineer Aini Ling reported detecting levels of 3,800 to 33,000 nanograms per wipe and at 1,620 nanograms per wipe in a second batch of samples collected near the stairwell on , 2007, suggesting the presence of military-grade explosives rather than mere environmental residue. A Manila-based bomb expert estimated that 4 to 5 pounds of C-4 could produce the observed damage without a large or , consistent with the blast's characteristics, including a gunpowder smell reported by witnesses and the absence of widespread typical of gas explosions. The feasibility of the methane gas theory has been challenged by technical experts. Ayala Land Inc., the mall's owner, commissioned UK specialists who deemed methane accumulation in an unsealed basement "highly unlikely" given regular sump emptying and ventilation, arguing it could not generate the blast's force without an unexplained ignition source. British scientist Dr. Stephen Etheridge echoed this, noting insufficient conditions for methane buildup to cause such a detonation. Australian National University researcher Dr. Kit Collier expressed doubts about the government's evidence, positing a possible bomb or inside job linked to terrorist threats against Ayala properties. Procedural concerns have fueled demands for independent probes. Senator criticized the multi-agency investigation led by the PNP as "arrogant and insensitive," arguing it revictimized casualties by prematurely closing the case without addressing all evidence. Makati City Mayor called for an external inquiry amid conflicting PNP statements, while a 2010 claim by retired Lt. Col. Allan Sollano—of a containing and a to avoid admitting —prompted DOJ reopening but was ultimately rejected in favor of the gas conclusion. Senator introduced a resolution for committees to investigate, citing public doubts over the explosion's cause and damage extent. These critiques, while countered by foreign experts ruling out bombs and subsequent probes affirming methane, underscore ongoing questions about investigative transparency in a context of Philippine security threats from groups like .

Lawsuits Against Ayala Land

In the aftermath of the October 19, 2007, explosion at Glorietta 2, the (PNP) investigated potential negligence by Inc., the mall's operator, focusing on the maintenance of underground diesel storage tanks in the adjacent parking area. The PNP recommended criminal charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple and damage to property against 14 individuals, including three mid-level Ayala Land employees, for allegedly failing to monitor and mitigate risks from diesel vapors that contributed to the ignition of accumulated gases. Ayala Land contested the PNP's attribution of negligence, asserting that the tanks were managed by third-party contractors and that regular inspections complied with regulations. The company maintained that the incident stemmed from unforeseen gas accumulation rather than operational lapses on its part. The Department of Justice (DOJ) reviewed the case and, on May 23, 2008, cleared Inc. and its executives of liability, determining insufficient evidence of direct corporate . Instead, the DOJ endorsed charges against eight other persons, primarily linked to external providers, for inadequate handling of the fuel systems. No civil lawsuits for damages filed by victims' families against Ayala Land appear in documented proceedings, with affected parties reportedly receiving compensation through Ayala Land's assistance programs amid the official gas-leak determination.

Insurance Disputes and Court Rulings

Ayala Land Inc. (ALI), the owner of 2 mall, held a Commercial "All Risks" with Standard Insurance Co., Inc., covering property damage from unforeseen events excluding specified perils such as explosions, ruptures, or acts of . Following the October 19, 2007, explosion that caused extensive structural damage estimated at PHP220.5 million, ALI filed a claim seeking indemnification under the policy. Standard Insurance denied the claim, arguing that the incident fell under policy exclusions. ALI initially attributed the blast to an , characterizing it as an act of , which is explicitly excluded from coverage. Later, ALI shifted its position, contending the resulted from a build-up of gas and diesel vapors in the mall's parking area, potentially qualifying as a covered risk. The insurer maintained that regardless of cause, the resulting constituted an excluded peril under the policy's terms, which barred recovery for damage from or rupture. The Regional Trial Court (RTC) in dismissed ALI's complaint for collection and damages, ruling that the loss was not indemnifiable due to the applicable exclusions. The Court of Appeals (CA) affirmed the RTC's decision, finding no reversible error in the lower court's interpretation of the policy. On November 14, 2018, the Supreme Court denied ALI's petition for review on certiorari in a five-page resolution, upholding the CA's affirmance. The Court held that ALI failed to demonstrate error in the appellate ruling and emphasized that, even assuming a non-terrorism cause like gas accumulation, the explosion itself remained an excluded event under the policy. No further appeals or related insurance disputes were reported in connection with the incident.

Aftermath and Legacy

Reconstruction of Glorietta

The explosion on October 19, 2007, inflicted severe structural damage to the basement parking area and lower levels of 2, prompting its indefinite closure for safety assessments and repairs. In contrast, 1, 3, and 4 underwent inspections and received approval from the City government to resume operations just six days later, on October 25, 2007. Ayala Land, the mall's operator, initiated a prolonged reconstruction of Glorietta 2 as part of a larger redevelopment initiative, addressing the aging infrastructure exacerbated by the blast's revelations of potential vulnerabilities in underground utilities and gas accumulation risks. The project encompassed of damaged sections, of , installation of enhanced measures including better gas detection and ventilation systems, and redesign of retail spaces for improved flow and modern . This effort extended over 4.5 years due to the complexity of integrating repairs with broader modernization goals. Glorietta 1 and 2, fully reconstructed, reopened to the public in , marking the completion of the core rebuilding phase and restoring the complex's role as a key commercial hub in Makati's financial district. The not only repaired blast-induced damage but also transformed the outdated 1990s-era structure into a more resilient and contemporary facility, though specific costs were not publicly detailed in contemporaneous reports.

Policy Changes on Mall Safety

In the aftermath of the October 19, 2007, explosion at Glorietta 2, which official investigations attributed to an accumulation of gas from a leaking ignited by diesel vapors, Philippine lawmakers urged enhanced oversight of commercial building safety to mitigate similar risks in underground spaces. Senator Richard Gordon, on November 7, 2007, called for stricter inspections by public safety offices, emphasizing regular checks for poor ventilation and gas buildup in mall basement parking areas, which he identified as high-risk based on observations from the incident. Senate committees conducted inquiries in aid of , including joint ocular inspections of the blast site on February 28, 2008, to assess structural and safety lapses, with resolutions directing probes into the explosion's causes and preventive measures for public venues. These efforts highlighted deficiencies in self-regulated mall safety, as (BFP) reports from 2007 revealed that only about one-third of malls were fully compliant with existing standards prior to the event, prompting temporary intensified audits post-blast. Despite these initiatives, no major legislative overhauls specifically targeting mall risks were enacted directly in response; mall operators retained primary responsibility for compliance, with government enforcement relying on existing frameworks like the National Building Code. The 2008 Fire Code of the (Republic Act No. 9514), which expanded requirements for inspections, evacuation plans, and hazardous in commercial structures, followed the incident but stemmed from broader reforms predating , though the event underscored enforcement gaps in underground utilities. charges against 15 individuals for negligence reinforced accountability for maintenance failures but did not yield systemic regulatory shifts.

Reactions

Government and Official Statements

The Philippine National Police (PNP) initially responded to the October 19, 2007, explosion by treating it as a potential terrorist attack, prompting heightened security alerts across Metro Manila and the deployment of bomb-sniffing dogs and investigators to the site. PNP Deputy Director General Avelino Razon Jr. stated on October 20 that reports of C-4 explosives were unfounded, emphasizing that evidence pointed away from high explosives while ongoing probes ruled out terrorism links. By late October 2007, preliminary PNP findings shifted toward an accidental cause, with officials citing the absence of bomb fragments or detonation signatures; Senate Majority Leader Francis Pangilinan urged the release of independent assessments from FBI and experts to corroborate this. On November 1, (NCRPO) Director Geary Barias attributed the blast to negligence in maintenance, specifically methane gas ignition from a sewage system , supported by analysis that excluded explosives. In January 2011, the Department of Justice (DOJ) formally concluded that the explosion resulted from accumulated gas leaking from a ruptured underground tank and igniting, dismissing bomb theories due to incompatible blast patterns, residue tests, and seismic data; the DOJ filed reckless imprudence charges against personnel for inadequate safety protocols. This determination aligned with earlier PNP and NBI reports, though it faced later scrutiny amid claims of administrative influence during the Arroyo era.

Public and Media Skepticism

Public suspicion immediately gravitated toward terrorism following the October 19, 2007, explosion at Glorietta 2, given the Philippines' history of bombings by groups like Abu Sayyaf and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in urban areas. Eyewitness accounts described a powerful blast equivalent to a grenade or larger device, with debris patterns suggesting directed force rather than an isotropic gas ignition, fueling online forums and street-level discussions that dismissed the emerging gas leak theory as implausible for such confined devastation. Media outlets amplified these doubts in initial coverage, with reports from and others highlighting the absence of typical gas odor and the explosion's epicenter in a parking area lacking visible leaks, prompting speculation of a covered-up attack amid heightened alerts. Philippine Senate Resolution urging an inquiry, introduced by Sen. , reflected legislative skepticism, questioning the Department of Interior and Local Government and police findings that no explosive residues were detected, yet demanding deeper probes into potential . Persistent public wariness endured beyond the official November 2007 accident ruling, as evidenced by resurfacing claims in 2010 from retired Col. Daniel D. Lucero, who asserted the blast originated from an based on his on-site investigation, accusing authorities of whitewashing evidence to avoid admitting security lapses. Victims' families and groups echoed selective distrust, organizing commemorations that challenged the methane vapor narrative due to inconsistencies like the lack of widespread fire damage typical in fuel-air explosions.

References

  1. https://www.rappler.com/philippines/41756-glorietta-blast-6-years-after/
  2. https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/philippines/second-probe-confirms-gas-caused-mall-blast-1.745948
  3. https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/20/world/asia/20phils.html
  4. https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2007/10/23/gas-leak-likely-caused-manila-mall-blast/61687812007/
  5. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/65636/makati-blast-likely-caused-by-gas-explosion-investigators/story/
  6. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2011/01/14/647639/doj-no-bomb-glorietta-blast
  7. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2010/11/09/628075/glorietta-bombed-case-whitewashed-army-colonel
  8. https://www.reuters.com/article/economy/philippines-firm-disputes-police-findings-on-blast-idUSSP166624/
  9. https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/11/14/18/supreme-court-denies-ayala-lands-insurance-claim-for-2007-glorietta-2-blast
  10. https://web.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/63175642%21.pdf
  11. https://www.dni.gov/nctc/groups/abu_sayyaf.html
  12. https://main.un.org/securitycouncil/en/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list/summaries/entity/jemaah-islamiyah
  13. https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/t/terrorism-in-southeast-asia.html
  14. https://www.hrw.org/reports/2007/philippines0707/background/1.htm
  15. https://www.hrw.org/news/2007/07/30/philippines-extremist-groups-target-civilians
  16. https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/2/5340
  17. https://ctc.westpoint.edu/u-s-security-assistance-to-the-philippines-a-success-story-against-terrorism/
  18. https://casestudies.uli.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/C030004.pdf
  19. https://www.ayalamalls.com/main/malls/ayala-glorietta
  20. https://ayalaland.com/blog/malls-move-up-the-metropolis
  21. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/65189/9-dead-100-hurt-in-suspected-terror-attack-at-makati-mall/story/
  22. https://www.rappler.com/philippines/30409-remember-2007-glorietta-blast/
  23. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/65199/partial-list-of-casualties-in-glorietta-blast/story/
  24. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/oct/19/philippines
  25. https://ir.ayalaland.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/17-C-October-22-2007-Glorietta-2-Incident.pdf
  26. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2007/12/09/32338/unsung-heroes-glorietta-blast
  27. https://web.senate.gov.ph/photo_release/2007/1022_01.asp
  28. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/65222/search-continues-for-2-missing-persons-in-glorietta-blast-report/story/
  29. https://www.reuters.com/article/economy/philippine-mall-bomb-toll-at-9-police-review-footage-idUSSP334748/
  30. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2007/10/20/22429/pnp-blames-lapse-mall-security
  31. https://www.alamy.com/police-and-other-security-cordon-off-the-busy-glorietta-shopping-mall-at-the-financial-district-of-makati-city-east-of-manila-philippines-moments-after-a-powerful-explosion-friday-oct-19-2007-killed-at-least-six-people-and-wounding-70-others-ap-photobullit-marquez-image540283097.html
  32. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/65113/police-declare-heightened-alert-in-metro-after-blast/story/
  33. http://www.china.org.cn/international/photos/2007-10/20/content_1228931.htm
  34. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/66611/glorietta-2-probe-not-over-even-as-foreign-experts-say-it-s-gas-blast/story/
  35. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2007/11/01/24926/ncrpo-chief-blames-lsquonegligencersquo-makati-blast
  36. https://web.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2007/1023_pangilinan1.asp
  37. https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2007/10/24/2003384518
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  39. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2007/10/25/23426/lsquoan-accident-waiting-happenrsquo
  40. https://old.pcij.org/blog/2008/01/16/glorietta-2-blast-bomb-or-gas
  41. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/76023/pnp-to-file-charges-vs-15-in-glorietta-2-mall-blast/story/
  42. https://www.upi.com/Top_News/2007/10/20/C4-explosive-ingredient-found-at-mall/89161192925735/
  43. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2007/11/24/29345/police-simulation-urged-prove-gas-explosion-theory-glorietta
  44. https://web.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2007/1028_pangilinan1.asp
  45. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2007/11/05/25689/ayala-gas-could-not-have-caused-explosion
  46. https://web.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2008/0113_lacson1.asp
  47. https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/philippines-mall-bombing-controversy
  48. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/66472/foreign-experts-rule-out-bomb-in-glorietta-blast-razon/story/
  49. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-blast/manila-points-the-finger-at-ayala-land-over-blast-idUSMAN32191020080110/
  50. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2008/05/23/63853/doj-clears-ayala-glorietta-blast-8-face-charges
  51. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/674748/sc-rules-no-insurance-money-for-ayala-land/story/
  52. https://www.rappler.com/business/216721-supreme-court-denies-ayala-land-petition-insurance-glorietta-2-blast-2007/
  53. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1053869
  54. https://legaldex.com/jurisprudence/ayala-land-inc-v-standard-insurance-co-inc
  55. https://www.digest.ph/decisions/ayala-land-inc-v-standard-insurance-co-inc?tab=digests
  56. https://www.newsinfo.inquirer.net/1053687/sc-denies-ayalas-claim-vs-insurance-firm-over-2007-mall-blast
  57. https://www.bworldonline.com/editors-picks/2018/11/14/199126/sc-denies-property-firms-petition-on-2007-glorietta-2-explosion/
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  59. https://www.theurbanroamer.com/ayala-center-story-redeveloping-glorietta-and-beyond/
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  62. https://web.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2007/1107_gordon1.asp
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  64. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/specialreports/83409/fire-officials-leave-mall-safety-largely-in-the-hands-of-owners/story/
  65. https://bfp.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Fire-Code-of-the-Philippines-2008-IRR.pdf
  66. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/65202/pnp-chief-denies-report-c4-explosive-caused-glorietta-blast/story/
  67. https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2010/10/26/623989/dark-suspicions-about-glorietta-2-blast-resurface
  68. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/65344/death-toll-in-blast-rises-to-11-probers-doubt-bomb-theory/story/
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