by Dean Lozarie
A pillbox caused the explosion at the Palma Hall Annex, authorities have confirmed.
Noel Sublay, chief of the Quezon City Explosives Ordinance Disposal said a pillbox exploded at the corner Fernandez Street and Roxas Avenue, according to a report by DZUP. The explosion occurred at around 2:25 p.m. today.
Reynaldo Natividad and Faustino Valencia, two workers from the UPD Campus Maintenance Office, were injured in the explosion.
Some media outlets initially reported that a vintage bomb exploded at the walkway between Palm Hall Annex and Palma Hall before the real cause of the explosion was determined.
An initial investigation of the incident revealed that Natividad, 44 and Valencia, 38, were installing street lamps along Fernandez Street when the pillbox exploded. Both were rushed to the UP Infirmary.
According to DZUP, Valencia was eventually brought to East Avenue Medical Center while Natividad remains in the infirmary. A medical report from the University Health Service said the two sustained “multiple injuries.”
Authorities have yet to determine why a pillbox was buried in the area.
