LEGAZPI CITY – Two people died, and two others were injured in an explosion in Barangay Pating, Masbate City, on Saturday, the Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO-5) reported.
Initial reports indicated that the explosion may have been caused by pressurized biogas, although authorities have yet to establish its cause.
The injured victims were immediately attended to and brought to the nearest hospital for medical treatment.
The Masbate City Police Station and Masbate Police Provincial Office are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Regional Forensic Unit also examined samples collected at the scene as part of the post-blast investigation.
PRO-5 Director Brig. Gen. Randy Glenn Silvio assured the public that authorities are treating the incident with utmost seriousness.
Investigators are considering all necessary procedures, including witness interviews, evidence gathering, closed-circuit television footage examination, and forensic tests, to determine the cause of the explosion and establish the facts.
Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Bicol, through its Crisis Intervention Section (CIS) team, immediately conducted validation and coordinated with the affected families.
The agency provided technical assistance on accessing medical assistance for the injured victims and funeral assistance for bereaved families through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.
Food assistance was also discussed to address the immediate needs of the affected families.
The Masbate Police Provincial Office, meanwhile, urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified reports, particularly circulating chat messages discouraging people from going to Gaisano Capital Mall.
It also reminded social media users that spreading false information during emergencies could cause unnecessary panic, mislead the public, and hamper ongoing police operations and investigations. (PNA)
