The death toll from the collapse of a nine-story building under construction in Barangay Balibago, Angeles City has risen to 28 after another victim was recovered from the rubble on Saturday night, according to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Central Luzon.
Authorities said the latest victim was extricated at 9:56 p.m. during ongoing search, rescue, retrieval, and clearing operations at the site.
The recovery came after more than two days without any victims being found. The previous recovery was recorded at 7:10 p.m. on June 3.
Responders continued operations despite intermittent rains, with heavy equipment deployed to clear the remaining debris. Earlier reports indicated that around 30 percent of the rubble had already been cleared.
On Thursday, search teams recovered a live chicken from the debris at around 8:58 a.m. Authorities believe it may have belonged to one of the construction workers affected by the collapse. The animal was also believed to have triggered several life detector activations during operations.
The building collapsed before dawn on May 24.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) earlier disclosed possible violations of occupational safety and health standards at the construction site. The project had previously been issued a work stoppage order by DOLE Region 3 due to safety deficiencies.
Meanwhile, lawyers representing the building owner and contractor said the owner is willing to provide assistance to the victims and their families and is seeking an independent investigation into the cause of the collapse.
Search, retrieval, and clearing operations remain ongoing as authorities continue to work through the remaining concrete and steel debris.
