2 dead in DND arsenal blast

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga, Philippines — Two persons died and two others were injured in an explosion at the Department of National Defense (DND) arsenal building in Barangay Lamao in Limay, Bataan on Wednesday.

Reports reaching Brig. Gen. Valeriano de Leon, Central Luzon police director, identified the fatalities as Ricardo Solomon and Marvin Tatel.

Macreldo Rodriguez and Allan Wisco were injured.

Initial investigation showed the fatalities were mixing chemical compounds used to make bullets when the explosion occurred. Those injured were in an adjacent room.

A portion of the building and some equipment were damaged in the blast.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana ordered an investigation into the incident even as he pressed for a review o safety measures in the government arsenal.

He expressed his condolences to the families of the victims even as he gave assurance that they would receive appropriate assistance. – Bebot Sison, Romina Cabrera, Ric Sapnu