Duterte orders probe into Sogo building collapse

President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered an investigation into the collapse of a building of Hotel Sogo in Malate, Manila, Malacañang said Tuesday.

Duterte’s spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the President ordered a “thorough” probe into the incident, which killed two construction workers on Monday.

The Palace asked the concerned authorities to coordinate with the City Government of Manila, particularly the Manila City Engineering Office, for the conduct of the investigation.

Panelo said the Palace was “shocked” and “saddened” by the incident even as it commended Manila Mayor Isko Moreno “who was among the first to rush and inspect the crash site.”

Hotel Sogo said the building, which was undergoing demolition, has been closed for over a year and there were no guests and employees at the time it collapsed.

"We contracted the demolition to a demolition company who has assured us that they will take care of all the injured," said Hotel Sogo CEO Augusto Corpus in  a statement.

Corpus said the management was prioritizing the safety of everyone who may have been injured but will soon get the investigation report on any lapses by the contractor. — Virgil Lopez/RSJ, GMA News