Three construction workers were trapped and found dead after a building, previously Philam Life Building, which was due for demolition collapsed in Ermita, Manila.
Police Lt. Col. Evangeline Cayaban, Chief of Police of Ermita Police Station, narrated that the bodies of the construction workers were recovered after retrieval operation ended about 10:47 this morning.
The victims were identified as Richard Bugarin, Joseph Lacsa, and Jomar Torillo. They were at the ground floor when the incident happened.
The body of Bugarin was first retrieved at about 8:45AM, followed by the body of Lacsa around 10AM and at about 10:34AM, the body of Torillo, the last victim, was found.
Manila Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office Director Arnel Angeles recounted that the ground floor of the building collapsed. The retrieval operation was temporarily suspended at about 1AM after the building suddenly shook. At about 8AM, the retrieval operation resumed and the bodies of the victims were recovered.
Last night, two construction workers were earlier rescued and brought to the Philippine Orthopedic Center after suffering injuries. One of them has already been discharged from the hospital. —Rod Lagusad
