KMJS: Victims' families urge accountability, justice in deadly Angeles building collapse

The families of the victims of the nine-story building collapse in Angeles City, Pampanga, are demanding accountability and justice following the horrendous incident.

According to Sunday's episode of "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho," the collapse of the building, supposedly called Walkin Hotel, happened in less than 11 seconds, trapping approximately 47 workers who were sleeping in the ground-floor barracks.

Jessica Soho personally visited the ground zero in Angeles City to check on the situation.

"Out of that 47, mayroon na po tayong considered as rescued whether 'yung nadala po sa hospital, nakauwi sa mga bahay, nag-report ng sarili na safe sila ay umabot po ng 27," Maria Leah Sujili, fire superintendent from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), said.

["Out of that 47, we already have 27 who are considered rescued—whether they were brought to the hospital, returned to their homes, or reported themselves safe."]

"Approximately, ang hinahanap pa po natin, roughly 16 more or less," she added.

["Approximately, what we are still looking for is roughly 16, more or less."]

When asked if there were still signs of life among the missing workers, Sujili answered, "Wala na po."

["There are none anymore."]

"Sa ngayon po, based sa ating paggamit ng ating mga life detectors, wala na po siya," she said.

["Right now, based on our use of our life detectors, there are no more signs of life."

"But 'yun nga po, as part of being a responder, we are looking forward na may miracle at meron pa tayo talagang makita na survivor," she added.

["But then again, as part of being responders, we are looking forward to a miracle and that we might still actually find a survivor."]

Novie, the partner of a missing worker, is calling for the site engineer, the contractor Golden Years Construction and Steelworks Corporation, and the owner of the building to be held responsible for the tragedy.

"Nananawagan po sana ako sa engineer tsaka 'yung contractor, sana po managot po sila, hindi po mataas ang kaalaman ko, pero alam ko sa kanila po ang pagkakamali, kasama na rin po ang may-ari na siyang nagpapagawa niyan," she said.

["I am appealing to the engineer and the contractor, I hope they are held accountable. I may not have a lot of knowledge about these things, but I know the mistake lies with them, as well as the owner who is having that built," she said.]

"Para sa pamilya na rin po, hustisya po sana, makamit po naming lahat, 'yun lang po," she added.

["For the sake of our families as well, I hope we can all achieve justice."]

In an earlier "24 Oras Weekend" report, one of the lawyers said that the building's owner is willing to help the victims and seeks to conduct an independent investigation into the incident.

Myra, the mother of a missing welder, said she would not accept the company owner remaining anonymous and demanded that they face the families and be held accountable.

"Hindi po talaga ako papayag na hindi magpapakita ang may-ari ng company na 'yan," she said.

["I will absolutely not let the owner of that company get away with not showing their face."]

"Gusto ko managot po sila," she added. "Dahil buhay po 'yan eh."

["I want them to be held accountable because those are lives at stake."]

Meanwhile, Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin II has ordered the creation of a composite team to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the sudden collapse of the building.

As of Sunday, Lazatin said the clearing operation is currently at 5%, without a definite date as to when the operation will conclude.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) is also investigating to identify potential criminal charges that may be filed if negligence or liability is proven.

According to Erwin, one of the survivors, the operation lacked manpower and construction materials.

"Kung tatanungin po sa trabaho, kulang po sila sa mga engineer, foreman, kulang po sila sa mga materyales," he said.

["If you ask about the work, they were lacking in engineers and foremen, and they were short on materials."]

"Kamukha po ng mga poste sa ilalim, dapat po malaking palapag po 'yun, dapat malalaking poste nilalagay nila doon," he added. "Ginawa po nilang maliit, kaya po nag-collapse kasi maliit po ang poste sa ilalim."

["Take the columns underneath, for example, that should have been a large footing, they should have placed large columns there," he added. "They made them small, which is why it collapsed—because the columns underneath were small."]

However, Sujili said they have yet to determine the main cause of the building collapse as the investigation is still ongoing.

"Kasi maaari rin po na dahil hindi pa natatapos ang ating construction ay mayroong paggalaw ng lupa or something not necessarily din sa mga integrity of the building," the fire superintendent said.

["Because it is also possible that since our construction is not yet finished, there might have been ground movement or something, and not necessarily an issue with the integrity of the building."]

"Pero sa ngayon po, wala pa po talaga kaming puwedeng i-provide ng mga dahilan, dahil ang priority po namin ngayon ay rescue operations pa," she added.

["But for now, we really cannot provide any reasons yet, because our priority right now is still the rescue operations."]

As of writing, at least 14 individuals are still missing. The death toll is now at 10.

The nine-story building being constructed in Barangay Balibago collapsed before dawn on May 24. —Hermes Joy Tunac/MGP, GMA News