Philippine construction collapse toll hits four, over dozen missing

A nine-storey building under construction in Angeles City, north of Manila, collapsed early Sunday, killing at least four people and trapping over a dozen others under the rubble. Two workers found alive and pinned beneath the wreckage later died despite rescue efforts: one suffered cardiac arrest while still trapped, and another was pulled out alive but could not be revived. A Malaysian hotel guest near the site was also killed, and rescuers pulled another unidentified body from the debris on Monday. Rescue operations continued with thermal scanners and infrared technology to detect survivors, but authorities warned that shifting rubble could endanger trapped workers. Around 17 people remain missing, mostly construction workers sleeping on-site when the collapse occurred. Lea Casilao, the girlfriend of a missing worker, described her anguish waiting for news, while Alfredo Albis, 55, reported that two of his cousins were still trapped inside. The cause of the collapse remains unknown, but regional labor director Geraldine Panlilio revealed that inspectors had shut down the project in September 2024 due to safety violations. Workers lacked proper gear such as hardhats, boots, and safety belts, and conditions included poor lighting and no visible safety signage. Construction resumed after a month when the contractor complied with requirements, but up to 70 workers were employed at the site before the weekend. Authorities confirmed that most workers had gone home for the weekend, reducing the potential death toll. The fire bureau’s Maria Leah Sajiri emphasized the challenges of rescue operations, as movements could destabilize the wreckage further. The disaster has left families and communities in shock, with many workers relying on the site for income.