A CASE of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide has been filed by the Quezon City Police District against the owners of MGC Wearhouse, Inc. the residential unit turned factory in Tandang Sora that was gutted by fire resulting in the death of 15 people.
Quezon Citry Mayor Joy Belmonte welcomed the filing of the criminal case. “We hope that through this development, justice will be served to the 15 individuals who perished during that unfortunate incident. We appreciate the effort of the Quezon City Police District for being committed to ferret out the truth,” she said.
A case of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide has been filed against the surviving incorporators of MGC Wearhouse, Inc. namely Catherine Sy, Lina Cavilte, Johanna Cavilte and Geoffrey Cavilte.
A special panel formed by the Quezon City Government and a task force from the QCPD pursued separate investigations into the incident.
QCPD Director P/Brig.Gen. Redrico Maranan said that on the early morning of 19 September 2023, P/Maj. Don Don u Llapitan, Chief of Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit, together with his operatives, proceeded to Occidental Mindoro to locate the families of the fire victims. They were assisted by the office of Occidental Mindoro Governor Eduardo Gadiano.
The QCPD team also proceeded to Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro and took the statements of some of the family members of the victims. This led to the identification of the company incorporators and the filing of charges against them.
Belmonte earlier called on the Bureau of Fire Protection to conduct a thorough investigation and undertake reforms in the Bureau of Fire Protection-Quezon City Fire District.
Belmonte made the call as the probe conducted by the city government and the Quezon City Council revealed lax inspection, backlog in the examination of businesses and other lapses in the performance of the BFP-QCFD.
Quezon City fire marshal Senior Superintendent Aristotle Bañaga went on leave following the call by Belmonte for his removal in the wake of several fire incidents this year in his jurisdiction.
