City mulls charges vs guards

THE City Government will possibly file charges against security personnel and those who gave orders to prohibit authorities to enter the premises of Abreeza in Bajada, Davao City, where a portion of the fourth level of one of the buildings being constructed had collapsed.

The roof deck of the 4th level of Robinson's building being constructed in the area, collapsed at 6:40 a.m. Saturday, killing a construction worker and wounding five others.

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Authorities from the Sta. Ana police and the Central 911 emergency response of the city arrived in the area at around 7 a.m., after calls from concerned citizens.

But security personnel did not allow authorities to enter the construction site, saying the lone casualty and the four injured have already been brought to hospitals.

Senior Inspector Ronald Lao, chief of Sta. Ana police, at around 8 a.m. ordered the response team to enter the area by force, going over the walls, and disarming a security guard.

Barring authorities to enter the construction site, according to city officials, violated Constitutional laws on the right of the state to use its police power.

"I want to stress that in the exercise of the state in its function to protect its citizens and to react to a situation like that, they should not be prevented," City Engineer Jose Gestuveo III said Monday.

City Mayor Sara Duterte on Saturday morning ordered Gestuveo and City Planning and Development Office OIC Roberto Alabado to create a city-initiated investigation on the incident.

The investigation to be conducted by the city, separate from that of the Sta. Ana police, will focus on construction lapses.

The contractor of the development project was also ordered to submit a report to the city mayor.

Gestuveo said the city mayor will decide on the filing of charges against the contractor.

In an official statement released Saturday afternoon from the general
contractor, DDT Konstract Inc. said while workers were pouring concrete at the roof deck of a portion of Robinsons building inside Abreeza Mall project, the formworks suddenly buckled and collapsed.

Based on the investigation conducted over the weekend, the collapsed portion of the roof deck was intended to cover the about 15 meters escalator area, said Gestuveo.

"Unfortunately because of the height of the building, maybe the forms of the supporting posts gave way," he said.

Gestuveo added he is yet to see the report from the contractor.

The construction worker who died in the incident was identified as Crispin Disalisa, of legal age and a resident of Metro Manila.

Senior Inspector Lao said, Disalisa died when slabs of concrete and other heavy materials fell on him.

Injured workers were identified as Marciano Polbo, 29, of Daliaon Plantation, Toril; Jimmy Delos Santos, 36, of San Antonio, Nueva Ecija; Remwels Balirio, 23, of Talisay, Cebu; and Joey Rey Soson, 22, of Calinan, Davao City. They were brought to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), but were later transferred to the Davao Medical School Foundation Hospital.

Central 911 commander Ret. Col. Verner Monsanto in an interview Monday also said they received reports that after the incident in the morning, two construction workers were also injured in the afternoon. One was electrocuted and one fell from the building.

Assistant City Administrator for Administration Erwin Alparaque said the investors vowed to shoulder the expenses for Disalisa’s burial and other compensation for those injured.

Gestuveo also said he has issued a stoppage order on the area of construction where the incident occurred. (Jade C. Zaldivar)