A month after a thorough investigation, the Quezon City Police District has filed a case against the incorporators of MGC Wearhouse Inc. who are the owners of the fire-stricken residential unit turned factory in Tandang Sora.
A case of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide was filed against the surviving incorporators of MGC Wearhouse Inc. namely: Catherine Sy; Lina Cavilte; Johanna Cavilte; and Geoffrey Cavilte.
The tragic fire happened at 5:30 a.m. of 31 August, at No 68 Kenny Drive, Pleasant View, Barangay Tandang Sora, Quezon City and resulted in the death of 15 people.
A special panel formed by the Quezon City government and a task force from the QCPD pursued separate investigations to determine possible lapses in the incident, and ensure that justice will be served to the victims and their families.
QCPD Director P/Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan activated the Special Investigation Task Group "WEARHOUSE" for a quick resolution of the incident.
Maranan said on the early morning of 19 September, P/Maj. Don Don Llapitan, Chief of Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit, together with his operatives, proceeded to Occidental Mindoro, to locate the families of the fire victims. They were assisted by the office of Occidental Mindoro Gov. Eduardo Gadiano.
The QCPD team also proceeded to Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro and took the statements of some of the family members of the victims. This led to the identification of other incorporators and the filing of charges.
The families of the victims have expressed their profound gratitude to team QCPD and the Quezon City Government for pursuing the criminal charges against the incorporators of MGC Wearhouse Inc.
For her part, Mayor Joy Belmonte welcomed the filing of the criminal case as it reflects the city government's resolve to provide justice and establish accountability.
"We hope that through this development, justice will be served to the 15 individuals who perished during that unfortunate incident. We appreciate the effort of the Quezon City Police District for being committed to ferret out the truth," Belmonte said.
BFP probe
Belmonte earlier called on the Bureau of Fire Protection to conduct a thorough investigation, as well as undertake reforms in the Bureau of Fire Protection-Quezon City Fire District.
Belmonte made the call as results of the probe conducted by the city government and the Quezon City Council revealed lax inspection, backlog in the examination of businesses, and other lapses in the performance of the BFP-QCFD.
This made Quezon City fire marshal, Senior Superintendent Aristotle Bañaga, to on leave following a call from Belmonte for his removal in the wake of several fire incidents this year in his jurisdiction.
This was confirmed by BFP chief, Director Louie Puracan, who said that Bañaga filed his leave of absence, following a piece of news published by DAILY TRIBUNE that Belmonte wrote Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos to recommend his relief and Fire Safety Enforcement Section head, Chief Inspector Dominic Salvacion, for their lapses.