MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE) The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed criminal charges against eight persons, including the project engineer of Makati Supermarket Corp.(MSC), for the October 19, 2007 explosion at the Glorietta 2 mall in Makati City that left 11 people dead and 108 others injured.

The resolution approved by Chief State Prosecutor Jovencito Zuño ordered the filing of charges for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and multiply physical injuries against Candelario Valdueza, MSC project engineer; Clifford Arriola, operations manager of Marchem Industrial Sales and Services Inc; Marchem supervisor Joselito Buenaventura, maintenance personnel Charlie Nepomeceno, Jonathan Ibuna, and Juan Ricafort; and engineer Ricardo Cruz and Miguel Velasco Jr. of Metalline Enterprises

On the other hand, the DoJ dismissed the charges against MSC-Glorietta 2 (G2) building engineer Marcelo Botenes, building administrator Jowell Velvez, and building manager Arnel Gonzales.

It also dropped the charges for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act or Republic Act (RA) 3019, and administrative charges for gross neglect of duty against Makati City Fire Station safety inspectors Senior Fire Officer 4 Anthony Grey and Senior Fire Officer 2 Leonilo Balais; and fire prevention officer Senior Inspector Reynaldo Enoc.

The Philippine National Police’s Multi-Agency Investigation Task Force (MAITF) headed by Chief Superintendent Luizo Ticman filed the complaint against the MSC personnel and firefighters in January after concluding that the explosion was caused by leaking methane and diesel vapors in the mall’s basement and not a terrorist bomb attack.

According to the DoJ investigating panel, Valdueza allegedly violated standard safety measures of the Fire Code, constituting evidence of negligence.

On the other hand, Arriola, Buenaventura, Nepomuceno, Ibuna and Ricafort allegedly failed to maintain and inspect the basement of the Makati Supermarket, allowing the accumulation of the gas that caused the explosion.

The resolution also said they allegedly altered the standard electrical safety devices at the basement by installing or using improvised wire jumpers instead of protective fuses.

Both Marchem and Metalline were contracted to undertake pump works for MSC.