Hotel officials charged for negligence

MANILA, Philippines - Police filed criminal charges yesterday against the officials of the Queensland Hotel in Pasay City following an attack on two guests by unidentified men last Feb. 23.

Quirico Jazmin Jr., 25, died while his companion, Stephanie Picache, remains in critical condition at a hospital. Police believe they had been beaten with a steel pipe by their attackers, who also took their cash and valuables.

Pasay police chief Senior Superintendent Raul Petrasanta said they filed charges of negligence, imprudence resulting in homicide and frustrated homicide, and obstruction of justice before the city prosecutor’s office against owner Teodorico Adarna, operations manager Fernando Lupina, duty supervisor Amalia Jumadas, and duty security guard Rogelio Agustin.

Senior Police Officer 2 Leo Labrador of the Pasay Police Station Investigation and Detective Management Section, blamed the hotel management for reportedly being lax in its security measures.

Labrador said the hotel allegedly did not maintain a registry book for occupants and visitors.

“This is one major reason why the suspects were able to get inside and later escape without being noticed,” he said.

He said the hotel also allegedly lacks security personnel.

“The hotel owner and officials have not also been very cooperative as they refuse to give important details that will help solve the case,” Labrador said.   – Rhodina Villanueva