Laborer falls from condominium

A 27-year-old laborer fell from the fourth floor of a condominium under construction in Ermita, Manila in what the police said was a freak accident Friday night.

Joriel Agoncillo, of Makati City, died on arrival at the Ospital ng Maynila due to multiple head and body injuries.

Police arrested three workers at the site who were reportedly with the victim at the time of the accident. They were identified as crane operator Christopher Pagadora, 33; site engineer Jose Mario Geralde, 44; and lead man Eduardo Pacuan, 40. Except for Pacuan, who is working for Millenium Erectors Corp., the two others are employed by the Manila Executive Corp.

Police Officer 2 Jay Santos found that the victim and the three others were at the fourth floor guiding a concrete slab for installation at the 35th floor of the Cityland Condominium located at the corner of Jorge Bocobo street in Ermita.

Witnesses said the crane that was lifting the slab moved, causing the heavy concrete to sway and hit Agoncillo. The impact threw the victim out of the building and he fell to the ground below.

Santos said the three construction supervisors apparently failed to provide Agoncillo with safety gadgets to prevent his fall. Witnesses said there were no mechanisms to keep the crane from moving while lifting a heavy load, Santos said.

Charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide are being readied against the three workers, who are currently detained at the Manila Police District jail. – Nestor Etolle