The death toll from the building collapse in Angeles City has risen to 17 after emergency responders recovered four more bodies between late Monday night and early Tuesday morning.
The 14th victim was pulled from the debris at 11:20 p.m. on Monday, followed by the 15th at 1:56 a.m., the 16th at 2:07 a.m., and the 17th at 4:08 a.m. on Tuesday. Search and retrieval teams also found the remains of a dog amid the rubble.
The structure gave way on May 24 after being battered by heavy rainfall. Since then, a joint multi-agency operation has successfully saved 27 survivors, while teams continue to search for three individuals who remain missing.
Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has launched two independent inquiries into the disaster.
According to Acting Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino, one investigation will look into the potential violations made by the project’s contractor, Golden Years Construction. The second probe will investigate the circumstances surrounding the lifting of a work stoppage order previously slapped against the site by DOLE-Region 3.
Legal representatives for the building’s owner and contractor stated that their clients are prepared to extend assistance to the victims and are calling for an impartial, independent review of the tragedy.