2 construction workers die after Malate hotel under demolition collapses

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED 4:07 p.m.) — Manila Mayor Isko Moreno confirmed that two construction workers died after getting trapped under the rubble of a hotel building that collapsed on Monday morning.

The two casualties identified as Melo Ison and Jeromie Fabello were trapped inside Hotel Sogo which is undergoing demolition at A. Mabini St. Malate when it collapsed at around 9:30 a.m.

Moreno said that initial reports from the building’s foreman detailed that there are 22 workers in the area when the incident occurred.

Office of the Punong Barangay 701 Zone 77 District V in Malate said the workers are from Fabellon Construction. Most of them are skilled workers who are partaking in the demolition of the hotel.  

Helper Edson Ison, brother of Melo, jumped out of the building due to panic resulting in minor injuries. He was rushed to the Philippine General Hospital for medical treatment.

The Manila government earlier sent a search and rescue operations team from the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to respond to the incident.

Moreno also placed the Ospital ng Maynila Emergency Room under code red to receive patients from the hotel.

The Bureau of Fire Protection used a crane to free the trapped individuals.

Moreno and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority General Manager Jojo Garcia went to the site to investigate the incident.

Moreno discovered that Hotel Sogo’s adjacent building at Adriatico Street is still accepting guests, prompting him to order its closure.

Levi Facundo, Manila’s chief of Bureau of Permits, said that the hotel has a business permit under Golden Breeze Realty Inc. valid until December 31 this year.

The hotel’s insurance policy covers up to P5 million in expenses for body injuries and property damage caused to a third party.

Meanwhile, in celebration of the 27th National Family Week, Moreno announced the early dismissal of government workers and students in Manila except for those responding to the hotel collapse incident. — Rosette Adel