RELATIVES of some of the 38 NCCC Mall fire fatalities have signified their intention to file a separate civil case against the personalities believed to be liable for the mall fire incident that claimed the lives of their loved ones.
Senior Assistant Regional Prosecutor lawyer Robert Michael Razon said the relatives of some of those who perished in the fire asked for a copy of the final report of the investigation so that they could attach it to the case that they plan to file.
“The nature of the criminal case is there’s a penal provision, meaning it’s either there is an imprisonment or there is a fine. Ang civil case naman kasi is it pertains to the civil relations between and among persons. They can file a civil case, let’s say, for damages diba kasi namatayan sila, then yong anak nila medyo bata pa, may loss of income,” Razon said.
(A civil case pertains to the civil relations between and among persons. They can file a civil case, let’s say, because a member of their family died, if the child who died was still young and there was loss of income.)
He said the families may file a civil case for moral damages because of the neglectful act on the part of the respondents.
Razon, meanwhile, assured that they will finish the preliminary investigation before the anniversary of the deadly fire on December 23.
He said that upon meeting with the families, they hinted of their eagerness to get the respondents convicted.
But he said a due process will be observed and it will depend on the result of the preliminary investigation should the prosecutor find probable cause before a respondent is convicted.
The Inter Agency Anti-Arson Task Force (IATF), which investigated the incident, filed a criminal case for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and multiple physical injuries against 33 individuals including the NCCC owners, SSS head, the contractor and the city building officials.