MANILA — Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Sunday to launch an investigation into the fire that gutted the New City Commercial Center (NCCC) Mall in Davao City, where at least 37 people are feared to have perished.
Aguirre ordered DOJ Undersecretary Raymund L. Mecate to communicate with NBI Director Dante Gierran the order to probe the fire that gutted down the shopping mall.
The order was given for the NBI to determine the presence of any criminal liability which led to the fire and the loss of lives.
The NBI was also ordered to file the necessary charges against any parties determined to be responsible.
“We want the NBI to be involved with its own probe. Their findings will enable us to make those responsible fully accountable before our courts via the criminal cases that will be filed. By punishing those responsible, we can set an example to others so that, hopefully, there will be no repetition of these tragedies”, Aguirre said in a statement.
Aguirre also called on the public to pray for the victims “in this moment of grief.”
“Foremost, we offer our solemn condolences to the families of those persons who lost their lives in this very unfortunate incident. The loss of lives and the resulting damage caused underscore the need to determine if someone is at fault and should be held criminally liable,” Aguirre said.
“It is for this reason that I have ordered the NBI last night to conduct a probe to determine the criminal culpability of those responsible. For now, I respectfully request everyone to continue praying for all those affected by this tragedy,” he added.
The fire broke out past 9 a.m. Saturday at the third floor of the New City Commercial Center more known to Dabawenyos as NCCC Mall.
The fire incident occurred while Davao City is still reeling from the damage brought by the onslaught of typhoon “Vinta.”
Mayor Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio, who earlier visited the site and met with the families of the missing persons at the restaurant’s holding room beside SNR, said the city government would extend assistance to the families.
Duterte-Carpio said the incident is still under investigation.
She has also ordered the cancellation of all remaining Pasko Fiesta activities in deference to the victims.
Built in 2003 by the Lim family, the NCCC Mall is one of the city’s biggest establishments. (PNA)
