Angeles City building collapse deaths now 6

The death toll in the collapse of a building under construction in Barangay Balibago, Angeles City, Pampanga has climbed to six, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Region 3 said Friday.

In an update, BFP Region 3 said rescuers at 12:40 a.m. retrieved another body from the rubble amid the search, rescue, and retrieval operations.

“As of 12:40 a.m. today, BFP Special Rescue Force successfully extricated one unidentified body, marking the 6th casualty for the 9-storey collapsed structure incident at Angeles City,” the BFP Region 3 said.

With this development, six people have been confirmed dead, 14 are still reported missing, and 26 have been rescued in the incident.

The nine-story building being constructed collapsed before dawn on Sunday.

Photo from BFP Region 3

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Wednesday said search and rescue operations continue for the missing persons.

This was after several officials on Tuesday initially declared the shift to search and retrieval operations after no more signs of life were monitored from the rubble on Monday evening.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Wednesday identified possible violations of occupational safety and health standards on the construction site.

The construction project had previously been subjected to a work stoppage order issued by DOLE Region 3 because of safety deficiencies.

It was later resumed after the company reportedly complied with the agency’s requirement.

Father and son

Later on Friday, local authorities identified the sixth fatality as a 51-year-old construction worker who was among those trapped when the structure collapsed.

According to Angeles City Public Information Office chief Jay Pelayo, the victim was the father of 26-year-old male, whose body had been recovered a day earlier as the fifth confirmed fatality.

"Ang isang individual na... 51 years old, ito po ay na-identify ng ating mga SOCO (Scene of the Crime Operatives) sa PNP (Philippine National Police), at ito pong sixth casualty ay napag-alamang father pong fifth casualty natin na nauna," said Pelayo.

(A 51-year-old individual... was identified by our PNP-SOCO operatives and this sixth casualty was found to be the father of our fifth casualty.)

The city government said both victims worked at the construction site and were believed to have been staying near the workers' barracks when the structure gave way.

Pelayo said the younger victims' remains were immediately identified by relatives after upon recovery from the debris.

"Noong unang na-extricate ang body ng fifth casualty, kaagad itong na-identify ng kanilang pamilya," he added.

(When the body of the fifth casualty was first extricated, it was immediately identified by the family.)

One yet to be identified

Authorities said one of the six fatalities has yet to be positively identified, while rescue teams continue to search for possible survivors or additional victims trapped beneath the rubble.

"Right now they're still searching kung may ibang katabi or nasa ibang area pa," he said.

(Right now, they are still searching to determine if there are others nearby or in other areas.)

The exact number of people still trapped remains uncertain as reports from relatives and co-workers continue to be validated.

Meanwhile, Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin II assured the public that authorities would conduct a fair and impartial investigation into the collapse, including a review of permits and the possible liability of both contractors and government personnel.

"Pero gusto natin ang paglilitis natin is pantay. Kahit ako gumagawa ako ng task force para investigahan ito para malinaw sa lahat na ang gagawin natin ay patas," Lazatin said.

(We want the investigation to be fair. I am creating a task force to investigate this so that it will be clear to everyone that what we are doing is impartial.)

Building owner, contractor

The city government said the building owner and contractor have committed to coordinate with authorities and provide assistance to the families of the victims.

"Eto ang commitment na binigay nila sa atin na handa silang tumulong sa pamilya ng biktima at handa silang makipag-ugnayan," Pelayo said.

(This is the commitment they gave us—that they are prepared to help the victims' families and coordinate with authorities.)

Around 800 responders from various government agencies and volunteer groups remain involved in the operation, which continues around the clock.

Authorities said rescue activities may be temporarily suspended during severe weather conditions to protect personnel working at the site.

The building, which was still under construction, collapsed before dawn on Sunday in Barangay Balibago. —VAL/ VDV, GMA News