Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino, on Tuesday, ordered a 30-day preventive suspension against Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 3 Director Geraldine Panlilio to allow an impartial investigation into the collapse of a nine-storey building in Angeles City, Pampanga.

Tolentino said Panlilio’s suspension would enable authorities to thoroughly examine why the work stoppage order was delayed prior to the incident.

“Siguro, mabigat-bigat, I’ll be placing Director Panlilio under preventive suspension for one month while [the] investigation is ongoing,” Tolentino said.

He added that the assistant regional director will assume Panlilio’s duties during the period.

The labor chief said the probe will focus on determining the circumstances behind the delayed issuance of the stoppage order. “Para ma-imbestigahan nang maayos kung bakit na-late yung work stoppage order,” he said.

On the same day, the department confirmed that Tolentino had signed the order formalizing Panlilio’s suspension.

The suspension stems from the collapse of a nine-storey condominium project that also damaged a nearby hotel. As of writing, authorities have recovered four bodies from the rubble, including a Malaysian national and two construction workers.

At least 17 individuals remain trapped or missing, according to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Central Luzon. Rescue operations are ongoing as authorities continue to search for survivors and determine the cause of the collapse.