PNP probing cause, possible violations in Angeles City building collapse

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said it is helping in the investigation of the collapsed building in Angeles City, Pampanga to determine the cause of the incident and possible violations of building regulations.

“The PNP is likewise supporting the ongoing investigation to determine the cause of the incident and possible violations of safety and building regulations,” PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement.

“Rescue operations remain ongoing amid hazardous conditions caused by unstable debris and live power lines,” he said.

The Police Regional Office 3 immediately deployed 175 police personnel to work with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Angeles City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office in search and retrieval operations, traffic management, and area security.

The PNP advised the public to avoid the area to allow unhampered emergency operations.

Angeles City public information officer Jay Pelayo on Sunday said they will conduct overnight search and rescue operations for 20 individuals believed to be trapped beneath the rubble of the collapsed building.

Most of the trapped victims are believed to be construction workers.

As of posting time, two have died in the collapse while 26 out of the 47 victims have been rescued. Eighteen others remain missing. — With reports from Bea Pinlac/JMA, GMA News