Wall collapses in squatter shanty

A 61-year-old woman died while four others, including a baby girl, were injured when a 20-foot high concrete wall collapsed on their shanty during a heavy downpour yesterday morning in Caloocan City.

Superintendent Napoleon Cuaton, Caloocan City police station investigation chief, identified the fatality as Teresita Gruezo, a resident of First Avenue, Sta. Catalina Interior st. in Barangay 39.

The victim succumbed to severe head injuries while undergoing treatment at the Chinese General Hospital.

The four injured, identified as Jocelyn Gruezo, 31; her two-year-old daughter Ronalyn; sister-in-law Mary Grace Gruezo, 20; and Zaldy Amazona, 33; are now out of danger, PO2 William Lopez said.

He said the Gruezos were watching television inside a shanty built beneath a two-story abandoned building when the concrete wall collapsed.

Barangay Captain Ernesto Lopez and operatives from police Sub-station 5 formed a team to haul the victims from the concrete debris.

The rescuers brought the victims to the Chinese General Hospital for treatment but Teresita later died due to severe head injuries

Caloocan City Mayor Enrico "Recom" Echiverri offered financial assistance to the victims including burial expenses for the old woman.

Echiverri also reminded Caloocan residents, particularly the informal settlers living at the riverbanks and low-lying areas, to be extra careful as accidents may occur during heavy rains. — Pete Laude, Jerry Botial