The death toll from the collapse of a building under construction in Angeles City, Pampanga has risen to four, with 17 people still missing and 26 rescued as of May 25.
A nine-story building under construction in Barangay Balibago collapsed around 2:30 a.m. on May 24. The incident killed four people, including Malaysian national Mohd Rezal Abdullah, construction workers Properio Alikaway and Mark Laurence Capungay, and one unidentified victim.
Rescue operations continue with 267 personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, and Philippine Red Cross deployed to the site. Equipment including thermal scanners, canine units, and life detectors is in use.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said police units were mobilized immediately for rescue, traffic management, and security. MMDA general manager Nicolas Torre III noted that a dog was rescued from the workers' barracks area.
Nearby businesses have closed, and some structures face possible demolition pending engineering assessments.
