4 injured as metal truss collapses in San Juan venue

Collapse of a metal truss structure at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan, October 30, 2026. Handout/San Juan PoliceMANILA — Four people were injured after portions of a metal truss structure collapsed at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City on Friday morning, prompting organizers of a religious gathering to relocate the event to Makati City.

San Juan City Police Chief Police Colonel Anthony C. Gantang said three of the victims had been discharged from the hospital, while the fourth remained hospitalized for further medical evaluation and treatment due to a head injury.

The incident happened at around 9:45 a.m. while the event’s technical crew was installing equipment for the gathering, which was originally scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.

Two of the victims were members of the religious organization, while the other two were part of the crew installing the equipment, according to Gantang. One of the injured crew members was a technician or installer working on the LED wall.

The San Juan City government said the collapse involved lighting and audio trusses installed by the event organizer’s technical supplier. In its official statement dated October 30, the city government said the Filoil Centre was being rented by a private event organizer and was independently managed and operated by HOME Inc.

“The collapse involved lights and audio trusses set up by the organizer’s own technical supplier for this particular event. The Filoil Centre itself remains structurally sound,” the statement read.

The city government also clarified that the supplier had no contractual ties with the local government.

“The technical supplier was engaged entirely by the private organizer and has no ties or contractual relationship with the City Government of San Juan. We have formally reached out to the event organizer and are awaiting their full report,” it added.

Gantang likewise clarified that the collapsed metal truss was separate from the venue’s permanent structures and had been outsourced by the event organizer.

“Ito pong metal truss na ito, nililinaw po natin, hindi po ito structure o facility ng Filoil Arena. Ito po ay separate. Outsourced po ito ng event organizer. It so happened na nangyari siya inside Filoil Arena. Lahat naman po ng emergency responders ng San Juan City, kabilang ang CDRRMO, PNP, pati na ang Red Cross ay agad naman pong nagresponde,” he said.

Responders from the San Juan City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, police, and Philippine Red Cross assisted the victims and brought them to Cardinal Santos Medical Center.

The city government said it was closely monitoring the victims’ condition and coordinating with the police in investigating the incident.

Police have yet to determine the cause of the collapse.

“Hindi pa namin ma-determine kung ano talaga ang real cause ng pag-collapse. Baka hindi pa kami makapagbigay ng specific na reason. Ongoing pa naman ang investigation. Iniimbita pa natin ang venue management, pati na ang venue organizer at ang mga supplier na involved na nag-install ng mga metal truss na iyan, and very cooperative naman sila,” Gantang said.

The city government said public safety remained its priority as authorities worked to establish the facts surrounding the incident.

“Alongside the San Juan City Police Station, we are conducting a rigorous investigation into the incident to establish the facts and ensure full accountability,” it said.

During a meeting with the event organizer, the stage equipment supplier, and a venue representative, the supplier reportedly agreed to shoulder the victims’ medical and hospitalization expenses.

The supplier also committed to dismantling and replacing the affected stage structures and equipment, subject to proper inspection and compliance with safety requirements.

In a Facebook video post, Pastor Jerome Ocampo, founder of Jesus Revolution Now (JREV), announced that the religious gathering would continue at a different venue.

“We have decided, as the executive committee of JREV, that we will continue the event throughout the week. Today, the venue is going to be moved at Word for the World – Makati,” Ocampo said.

He said doors would open at 1:30 p.m., with the session scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. and run until 9 p.m.

Ocampo described the incident as unfortunate but said the organization would proceed with spatial gatherings while the investigation continued.

Meanwhile, Gantang reminded event organizers to coordinate closely with venue management and prioritize the safety of attendees and technical personnel.

“Pinapaalala natin sa lahat ng mga event organizer, lalo na ngayon, uso ‘yung mga maraming event na ginagawa, ang ibayong pag-iingat po doon sa coordination natin sa mga venue, sa mga organizer, para matiyak natin ang safety ng hindi lang mga spectators, pati na rin ng mga crew, empleyado, at staff natin,” he said.