Angeles building collapse death toll surges to 28

National

THE death toll from the collapsed nine-story building in Angeles City climbed to 28 after rescue teams recovered another victim over the weekend.

According to the Bureau of Fire Protection-Central Luzon, the body was retrieved at around 9:56 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, arking the 14th day since the building collapsed.

In a report by Philstar, Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin II said the victim was found in the third quadrant of the structure. The remains were immediately turned over for proper documentation and identification procedures.

Search, rescue, retrieval, and clearing operations continue at Ground Zero as responders work through the remaining debris.

Meanwhile, two more relatives of victims have filed complaints for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide against the building owner, Ernest Jackson Lim, Johnson Cu, and the incorporators of Golden Years Construction and Steelworks Corp., identified as Johnny Reyes, Joel Cu, Jenny Reyes, and Jefferson Cu.

Also included in the complaints were structural engineer Joel Hoh Young and site engineer Arlou Nondong Ligsanan.

The complainants were Romel Pastor, whose brother Renanante Pastor died in the collapse, and Jamaica Samson Angcao, whose parents, Elsa and Joey Angcao, were among the victims.

The complaints are the second set of cases filed before the Angeles City Prosecutor's Office against those involved in the construction of the building.

The first complaint was filed on May 28 by Maricel Loto Sapungay, the mother of one of the victims, Mark Lawrence Sapungay.

Meanwhile, former Narvacan mayor Chavit Singson deployed a mobile kitchen in Barangay Balibago to provide meals for rescuers, volunteers, affected families, and residents impacted by the tragedy.

The mobile kitchen is expected to serve around 2,000 portions of hot arroz caldo as rescue and recovery efforts continue.

The initiative aims to support frontline responders and families affected by the incident while offering assistance and solidarity to the community during the ongoing recovery operations.(Shanice Kaye Ocio, CNU Comm Intern)