ANOTHER body was recovered from the site of the collapsed nine‑storey building in Angeles City, Pampanga, on Wednesday evening, according to reports from Jamie Santos on “Saksi.”
The remains were found in Sector 1 of the structure at around 6:18 p.m., with recovery teams assisted by the canine unit of the Philippine Coast Guard. This discovery comes even though operations had officially shifted from search‑and‑rescue to retrieval as early as Monday evening, after no signs of life were detected amid the rubble.
Despite the change in operational phase, Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla emphasized that authorities have not given up hope of finding survivors among the 16 people still reported missing.
He cited past rescue successes, saying, “There have been instances where victims were found even two weeks later, similar to what happened in Baguio. So, for me, I would rather consider this still a search and rescue effort… We have not lost hope.” His statement underscores the determination of responders to exhaust all possible means before concluding that no one else can be saved.
Authorities are also stepping up efforts to hold those responsible accountable. Remulla confirmed that subpoenas and an airport hold order will be issued against the owner of the construction firm behind the project, who has so far remained at large.
Meanwhile, Acting Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino revealed that the company owner may face criminal charges and violations of the Labor Code, noting serious lapses in safety and housing protocols. “There should not have been sleeping quarters inside the site itself — proper barracks should have been provided. Also, family members should never have been allowed inside, as reports indicated was the case here,” Tolentino said, highlighting the unsafe conditions that may have contributed to the tragedy.
