Authorities recovered another body from the collapsed building in Angeles City, Pampanga, on Wednesday evening, bringing the death toll to five, including a Malaysian national. The Philippine Coast Guard's canine unit discovered the remains in Sector 1 of the building around 6:18 PM.
Search and Rescue Efforts Ongoing
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla stated that despite transitioning from search and rescue to retrieval operations on Monday due to no signs of life, the possibility of survivors remains. He cited past instances where survivors were found after two weeks, such as in Baguio. “We have not given up hope. Hindi tayo mawawalan ng pag-asa,” Remulla said.
Legal Actions Against Construction Firm Owner
The owner of the construction firm responsible for the building remains at large. Remulla announced that a subpoena and a hold departure order will be issued against the individual. Acting Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino warned that the owner could face criminal charges, including violations of the Labor Code, for safety protocol failures. Tolentino emphasized that workers should not have been sleeping inside the construction site and that proper barracks should have been provided. Reports also indicate that families were living inside the site, which he deemed inappropriate for such work.
