We at Ayala Land are deeply saddened by yesterday’s explosion that occurred at around 1:30pm in Glorietta 2. We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the families affected by this tragedy. We stand in solidarity with those who were hurt during the explosion, and would like to ensure the public that we are extending the utmost care and maximum medical treatment to the injured and the families of those killed.

In terms of our priorities at this point, we are focusing our efforts on three areas:

1. Extending maximum assistance to those injured and the families of those who died.
2. Cooperating with authorities in the police investigation
3. Ensuring safety and security of our customers

VICTIM ASSISTANCE
In terms of assisting those injured from the explosion, our people have been in the hospital since yesterday afternoon and continue to be there, working closely with the Red Cross and the doctors and medical personnel of Makati Medical Center and Ospital ng Makati. Our company physician, Dr. Bernardo Cueto, has been designated as the attending physician at Makati Medical Center.
We would like to commend the valiant effort of the Red Cross, the medical personnel at Makati Med and Ospital ng Makati, and all those involved in the rescue operations for their bravery and courage in this time of tragedy. Our primary concern continues to be the welfare and well-being of those injured, the families of those killed, and all those affected by this tragedy.

We have been monitoring closely the status of the injured. Based on reports we have received, as of this morning 68 injured persons were brought to Makati Medical Center and 34 injured persons to Ospital ng Makati. Of these 102 injured persons, 71 have been released 2 remain in Ospital ng Makati but will be discharged today, and 15 in Makati Medical Center are still confined, and 3 are in the Intensive Care Unit. Per police reports, 9 deaths have been confirmed. We are extending maximum assistance and care to the victims of this tragedy and their families. 

We will have a mass immediately after this press conference at 11am in Glorietta 3 in memory of those killed and to continue to pray for the safe recovery of those injured.

COOPERATION WITH AUTHORITIES RE. INVESTIGATION
In terms of the investigation moving forward, we are in close and constant communication with the authorities from the PNP and Makati City Hall. The PNP is in the lead in the investigation, we are extending to them our full support and cooperation as they ascertain the cause and nature of the explosion. 

CUSTOMERS AND SAFETY
Finally, with regards to the safety and security of our customers, the safety and security of the public continue to be our paramount concern at Ayala Center and at all our malls, as it has always been.

A team of independent structural engineers from Aromin and Sy Associates as well as our own people inspected the site of the explosion last night and again this morning. After undergoing an extensive study of the premises, they have determined that Glorietta 1, 3, and 4’s structural integrity is sound and gave us assurances that we will be able to resume normal mall operations for these areas today. In this regard, we have determined that we can, in fact, resume normal operations for Glorietta 1, 3, and 4 this morning. The affected area at Glorietta 2 has been cordoned off as police investigations continue.

In light of this incident, we will be further beefing up security at Glorietta and across all our malls. For Glorietta in particular, we will be supplementing the complement of 120 security guards that regularly protect and patrol the interior and exterior of the mall with additional security personnel and bomb-sniffing dogs. This is in addition to the metal detectors that we installed last year at the mall entrances with heavy pedestrian traffic. We have instructed all security personnel to continue to be vigilant and to continue to coordinate closely with the PNP and the local government of the City of Makati.

Again, we would like to assure the public that your safety at our malls continues to be our primary concern, and we will continue to review our procedures moving forward to continue to ensure the safety of the public even as we resume normal mall operations.

To conclude, let me just say that we at Ayala Land are deeply saddened at what has happened. We, too, are victims of this incident, and we will extend our utmost cooperation to the investigating authorities to determine the cause and nature of the explosion. As a gesture of our solidarity with the victims and their families, we are extending moral and financial help to them and will provide them maximum care and assistance.

The following are the contact persons from Ayala Land:
- For coordination with the families of those injured:
• Elis Tanlapco, 0917-851-5609

- For inquiries on identities of those injured / deceased, please call the Red Cross hotline: 819-5767; 815-9469; 0915-987-6716.

- For all media inquiries:  
• Alfie Reyes, Corporate Spokesman – 0917-807-7296;
• Jan Bengzon, Head, External Affairs – 0917-840-5552

- For all tenant inquiries:  
• Myrna Fernandez, Ayala Malls Group – 0917-839-8095
• Pam Perez, Ayala Malls Group – 0917-881-1009

For other press releases, click on the following links:

• November 4, 2007
• October 24, 2007