Blast originated outside Glorietta 2 - Ayala Land

Officials of Ayala Land Inc., the owner of Glorietta Mall in Makati, on Friday reiterated that the explosion which rocked the establishment and killed at least eight people and injured 70 others, originated outside the Glorietta 2. Initial police reports traced the blast to an LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) tank in a restaurant within the mall, but Director Gen. Avelino Razon Jr, PNP chief, said that an assessment by ground commanders showed that what exploded could be "a bomb." “We are extremely saddened by this incident. We would like to assure the public that’s why we are taking all possible measures to ensure that all affected by the incident could be attended to with maximum care," said Jaime Ayala, Ayala Land president in a statement. Ayala Land earlier said they will shoulder the medical expenses of those injured. The company also said they are securing the mall, and suspending its operations until government agencies have given them permission to reopen. "Glorietta is being secured and surveyed to ensure the building’s structural integrity and safety. Operations will resume as soon as security and safety clearances from concerned agencies are given," Ayala Land said. - GMANews.TV