12-year-old survivor saw smoker before Cabuyao fireworks factory explosion

A minor witnessed an unidentified man smoking near the fireworks factory in Cabuyao, Laguna, just before it exploded on Thursday.

According to a ''24 Oras Weekend'' report by John Consulta on Saturday, CCTV footage showed 12-year-old John “Denden” Pastrana dropping water containers and running inside a nearby compound before the explosion occurred.

“Binaba ko po yung gallon tapos tumakbo po ako dun sa pagkuhaan ko ng bike. Umusok po. Sumabog. Dumapa po ako tapos gumapang po ako papunta rito. Mabagal lang po [yung gapang ko],” said Denden.

(I dropped the water containers and ran towards where I took my bike. It smoked and then exploded. I stooped and made my way carefully up to this point.)

“Nakasalubong ko siya, sigaw niya sakin… ‘Papa! Papa!’ Sinigawan ko siya ‘Utoy, buhay ka pa!’ Maraming maraming salamat po sa Panginoon at di po nila kami pinabayaan,” added his father, Leonito Pastrana.

(I crossed paths with him, and he screamed… ‘Papa! Papa!’ I screamed back, ‘Utoy, you’re alive!’ I thank God because He didn’t abandon us.)

Prior to the explosion, Denden said that he saw a man smoking close to the warehouse.

“Nagsisigarilyo po. Nakatayo po siya, nakaharap tapos nakikipagusap po sa construction worker,” Denden said.

(He was smoking. He was standing and was talking to a construction worker.)

Meanwhile, the Cabuyao local government said that the police were investigating all possible angles of the incident.

“Ang ating kapulisan ay hanggang ngayon ay lahat kinoconsider pa rin natin. Puspusan pa rin tayo sa paghahanap ng katotohanan. Ano bang punot dulo nito?'' said Cabuyao City information officer Aris Mane.

(Our police are still considering everything. We’re seriously looking for the truth. How did this happen?)

A five-year-old victim passed away on Saturday, bringing the total number of fatalities to five.

“Nabiyahe pa natin siya sa isang private hospital sa Metro Manila. Unfortunately, after an hour sa pediatric ICU, he succumbed na rin sa kanyang injuries,” Mane said.

(We were able to take him to a private hospital in Metro Manila. Unfortunately, after an hour in the pediatric ICU, he succumbed to his injuries.)

Cabuyao Mayor Dennis Hain guaranteed payment of the victim's medical expenses, while the Lebrilla-Aquino Fireworks said that they were cooperating with the authorities with their investigation. – Jiselle Anne Casucian/VBL, GMA Integrated News