NBI readies raps vs Ormoc mall owner

Government investigators are now preparing charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and injury against the management of the Unitop mall in Ormoc City where a Christmas Day fire killed at least 25 persons. Sun-Star Cebu (sunstar.com.ph) reported on Friday that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)’s parallel investigation focuses more on what charges the management can be held liable for. "Most likely, we will file a case for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and injury," it quoted NBI Eastern Visayas Regional Director Antonio Pagatpat as saying. As this developed, a payroll robbery added to Unitop management’s woes after two employees lost P500,000 in Tagbilaran City in Bohol province. Initially, fire officials probing the cause of the fire had identified two violations in Unitop’s Ormoc outlet, including a padlocked fire exit and selling firecrackers without a permit. They found no sign of arson but city fire officials have sought the help of the regional office to aid lone arson investigator SFO1 Virgilio Bitangcor. Liquor ban Sun-Star also reported the fire has prompted extra attention on how authorities can keep the New Year’s Eve celebrations safe, amid the use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices. The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) 7 has ordered all fire marshals in Central Visayas to inspect immediately all commercial establishments in their areas. Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama ordered a ban on the sale of pyrotechnics at the night market in the Manalili area and asked street traders to focus on security and safety at the night market. Rama also prohibited the drinking of liquor at the night market to avoid trouble. "Selling firecrackers at the night market will not be allowed because the night market is supposed to be a place for everyone," Rama said. In Cebu, where the tragedy made headlines, fire department officials have inspected three Unitop branches and other establishments, finding minor violations of the fire code in two branches. Fire safety measures Meanwhile, Cebu City Fire Marshal Ramon Codilla said the Unitop management has complied by putting up additional steps to the fire exit’s ladder and metal railings. New smoke detectors were also installed, even as Codilla said he has also required the Unitop management to hold fire safety seminars and evacuation drills. For its part, the Talisay City Fire Department has given two stores in Barangay Tabunok at least one week to comply with the safety measures of the Fire Code of the Philippines. A team separately inspected Wednesday the Unitop and Longwin Enterprises. Fire safety engineer Abel Segismundo said Unitop had covered with plywood two windows, which could have served as ventilation for the store’s stockroom upstairs. Segismundo said it was unsafe for Unitop to close the windows because that could generate extreme heat on the second floor, which is filled with stocks. He advised the management to remove the plywood and replace this with movable grills so the windows could also be used as fire exits. The same inspection team also found that the building occupied by Longwin Enterprises has no rear exit. Segismundo said that both establishments were given official notices to correct the violations within seven days. Chief Insp. Felipe Canillas ordered the inspection of all stores in Barangay Tabunok, Talisay’s busiest commercial area, to prevent a fire similar to that in Ormoc City. Bohol robbery In another development, employees of Unitop General Merchandising branch in Tagbilaran, Bohol province, lost at least P500,000 to two armed robbers Thursday. The robbers, who struck at 10 a.m., also shot two store employees, one of whom was in critical condition. Investigation showed the robbers accosted secretary Ruffa Balingit, 23, and security guard Dalmacio Casiemcimanor, 22, who were walking on CPG Ave. One shot the guard in the chest, while the other grabbed the bag Balingit was carrying. The robbers fled on a yellow motorcycle. When Balingit refused to let go of the bag that held some P500,000 cash, the robber shot her as well. A bullet grazed her neck. Witnesses rushed the two Unitop employees to the Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital in Tagbilaran City. Chief Insp. Jacinto Cesar, the city’s top police official, said they suspected the Boak gang of involvement in the robbery, but have yet to speak with the two employees to get more information. Investigators have yet to establish how the robbers knew the two employees were carrying that much cash with them. - GMANews.TV