PO2 Ricky Tan of the Makati police Homicide Division said the incident took place at around 5:30 p.m. last Friday along A.P. Reyes street, Barangay Olympia, Makati City.
Witness Ferdie Villa del Galdo, a watch repairman, said he saw a man pouring a liquid substance inside a plastic bag which he later threw near the Chow Delight Restaurant.
The man was described as 5’9" in height, with dark skin and clad in yellow polo shirt and black pants.
Del Galdo told the police the man immediately boarded a passenger jeepney bound for Taft Avenue after throwing the plastic bag.
Moments after the bag was thrown, the customers and employees of the Chow Delight Restaurant, along with several bystanders, were having difficulty in breathing and felt dizzy.
This prompted Del Galdo to call up the police for assistance.
SPO2 Edwin Quilala of the Makati police Explosives and Ordnance Division responded to the scene and examined the plastic bag containing the chemical substance.
Quilala said the contents of the bag emitted a very powerful odor which could cause nausea. Two women were rushed to the Ospital ng Makati after losing consciousness.
Virginia Morco, 23, a canteen helper and Mylene Cruz, 25, a resident of Ongpin St. in Binondo, Manila, were placed under observation but were declared in stable condition.
The unknown substance was brought to the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory in Camp Crame to determine its exact composition. Investigators suspect that the substance was similar to ammonia. – Marvin Sy