Ayala Hotels Inc.: Mandarin Hotel debris accident won't happen again

The Ayala Hotels Inc. (AHI) has assured that the accidents caused by falling debris from the Mandaring Hotel will not happen again.

“We regret that this incident happened and we assure the public that we are continuously taking measures to ensure the safety of the surrounding area and the well-being of all people affected,” AHI president Al Legaspi said in a statement.

On Friday, a coconut-sized chunk of debris fell from the 18th floor of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel and crushed the foot of 52-year-old Susan Melo.

A few minutes later, another chunk of debris fell on a parked car below the building, which was being demolished. No one was hurt from the incident.

The are surrounding the hotel has been closed.

The Makati government also temporarily suspended the demolition work pending an investigation into possible violations in safety protocols.

Legaspi said they are also conducting an investigation to determine if the the contractor was at fault.

“At the same time, we have asked the contractor on site, JLC Construction, to provide a full account of the incident,” he said. —Andrei Medina/ALG, GMA News