Daily Tribune
RESPONDERS continue search, rescue and retrieval operations at a collapsed building under construction in Angeles City, Pampanga, Tuesday. The death toll rose to 20 after emergency teams recovered three more victims from the rubble.
PHOTOGRAPH courtesy of angeles city pio
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) director Melvin Matibag announced Friday that authorities are preparing to file charges following the discovery of allegedly substandard steel bars, including some found to contain hazardous materials.
The bureau linked the confiscated construction materials to a nine-story mixed-use building that collapsed 24 May 2026, in Barangay Balibago, Angeles City, Pampanga, leaving 30 people dead and eight others injured.
Matibag said the latest seizure of defective metal took place in Pampanga, warning that some of the materials pose potential health risks to the public.
A comprehensive report will be issued once the investigation is complete.
The NBI chief discussed the bureau’s findings during a meeting Friday with Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida regarding ongoing operations.
Matibag cited that his meeting with Vida did not cover the pending sedition complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, clarifying that the matter remains under review by the National Prosecution Service.
“It is pending with the prosecution, the National Prosecution Service. We did not discuss it,” Matibag said.
