The death toll from the collapse of a nine-story building under construction in Barangay Balibago, Angeles City, rose to 22 on Wednesday, June 3.
According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Central Luzon, the body of the 22nd confirmed fatality was recovered at around 7:21 a.m. after responders located the victim at approximately 4:04 a.m.
Earlier, rescuers retrieved the body of an infant at around 6:01 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2, from Quadrant 2 of the collapsed structure.
The building collapsed on May 24.
Search and retrieval operations continue as responders carefully remove debris and widen access to other sections of the structure to ensure that no additional victims remain trapped beneath the rubble.
Authorities said operations are being conducted around the clock despite unstable weather conditions and the fragile condition of the collapse site.
Angeles City Mayor Carmelo “Jon” Lazatin II said initial findings indicated that structural modifications had allegedly been carried out without the necessary permits or approved revisions from the Office of the Building Official.
Lazatin added that private investigators have been tapped to help ensure a credible and impartial investigation into the incident.
