2 more Army officers from fire-hit armory still critical, to be moved to another hospital—official

Brigadier General Normando Sta. Ana (left), Commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Medical Center (AFPMC)

MANILA, Philippines – Two Philippine Army officers injured in the fire that set off a series of explosions at the armory in Fort Bonifacio on Wednesday remains in critical condition, the military said Friday.

“Two are still in the Intensive Care Unit after sustaining severe burns. They are stable but still in critical condition,” said Brigadier General Normando Sta. Ana, Commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Medical Center (AFPMC) in Quezon City.

Sta. Ana said First Lieutenant Dinar Alozada’s burns covered 77 percent of his body while Master Sergeant Ferdinand Rafal’s covered 80 percent. Both are confined at the AFPMC.

Sta. Ana said the two would be transferred to the East Avenue Medical Center for further medication and treatment.

Sta. Ana said three other Army officers — Captain Julius Galleon, Sergeant Rommel Septimo and Sergeant Eddy Alano – are still at the AFPMC.

Although they have minor injuries, their condition needs to be monitored because they may have inhaled toxic fumes that could worsen their health.

Earlier on Friday, Corporal Bernabe Mota, one of the victims died. He suffered from breathing problems after inhaling toxic fumes and powder, said Sta. Ana. Mota’s burns covered 65 percent of his body.

Mota and the five other officers were among the more than 30 people injured from the fire and series of explosions that followed.

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