Up until this moment no apparent confirmation as to the real cause of last Friday’s tragedy at Glorietta is provided by investigators. There are so many conflicting statements that are being released by officials and experts, but the government seems set on the Terrorist theory, and a reward (2M pesos) was already put out for any information on the bomber/terrorist who was responsible for this crime. While the LPG gas leak was initially scrapped, one other theory related to gas leak has surfaced: methane gas leak from Glorietta’s pozo negro.

The pozo negro leak is plausible, considering the length of time that the mall has been in existence, and the amount of daily traffic the mall bears with. The crater at the foot of the escalators was evidence that the explosion must have originated underground, or in the basement. Methane is a combustible gas that builds up over time in not-so-well ventilated places that contain hefty amounts of decaying materials, such as sewers and pozo negro. Methane gas leak will not, however, explode on its own. There has to be a trigger, but the trigger to an explosion cause by gas leak could be anything that we thoughtlessly do in our daily lives.

The main difference between the terrorist theory and the methane gas leak is this: the former will not cause as much financial damage to the Ayala corporation as the latter. A methane leak points to faulty pozo negro construction and carelessness in building maintenance. If the methane gas leak is confirmed, Ayala corporation will have to face a big lawsuit, and considering their profile as the most successful company in the Philippines, the payout for each plaintiff will not be cheap (can they afford, say 10M per plaintiff? Hmm, maybe).

Under the terrorist theory, the Ayala Group of Companies may extend financial help to the victims and come out as heroes. But under the other theory, they may be viewed as just another wily entrepreneur who couldn’t care less about the safety of his customers. A methane leak will also endanger the lives of those merchants and patrons in G4 and G3 (the said mall sections have resumed operations as early as Saturday or Sunday).

If I were Ayala, I would start doing damage control measures now that the methane leak has not yet been confirmed. People who have died in the blast include yuppie breadwinners and heads of families. I will start giving out scholarships and financial aid to the bereaved families, in exchange for a written statement that they do not in any way blame Ayala Corp. for their loss.

• If you liked this post please subscribe to my feed. Or scroll down and leave a comment.