POLICE investigators will return to the gutted footwear factory of Kentex Manufacturing Corporation in Valenzuela City on Thursday to search for more possible victims of a devastating fire that killed at least 72 people.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Crime Laboratory deputy director Senior Superintendent Emmanuel Aranas said there were 74 claimants but investigators recovered only 72 bodies.
Aranas said the PNP Scene of the Crime Operatives will check if there are bodies trapped under the debris of the factory.
The city engineering office of the Valenzuela earlier warned of the possible danger of dismantling the gutted building but Aranas said they would take the risk for the "peace of mind" of the victim's families.
Meanwhile, survivors and relatives of the fire victims filed criminal complaints before the Valenzuela City Prosecutor's Office against eight Kentex officials and and official of its subcontractor over the May 13 fire.
Charged were Beato Ang (president), Ong King Guan (general manager), Jose Tan (director), William Young (director), Nancy Labares (director), Elizabeth Yu (director), Charles Ng (director), Mary Grace Ching (director), and Cynthia Dimayuga (director and general manager of Kentex subcontractor CJC Manpower Services).
The officials were charged with reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, and violting the Wage Rationalization Act, the Labor Code, and Social Security System law.
Earlier, charges were filed against Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Labor Secretary Rozalinda Baldoz and other officials over the incident. (Sunnex)