3 workers killed as wall collapses

Three people were killed while nine others were injured when a 40-foot wall in a construction site in Parañaque City collapsed yesterday.

One of the fatalities, identified as Lazaro Ramos, 32, died on the spot from a cracked skull along with other injuries.

The other two, identified as Balbino Ocampo and Justinio Abesamis, died while undergoing treatment at the Olivares Hospital hours after the incident.

Parañaque City police chief Superintendent Ronald Estilles said more than a dozen other workers were rushed to different hospitals.

He said the victims were working on the construction of a Wilcon Builder’s depot along Dr. A. Santos Avenue (formerly Sucat Road) in Barangay San Dionisio when the high wall collapsed.

“They used it as an anchor to carry materials upward. The wall was not strong enough to carry the weight,” Estilles told The STAR.

Rescue teams from the Bureau of Fire Protection, Parañaque, Makati, and other city governments rushed to the site shortly after learning of the incident.

City officials have ordered for an investigation into the incident to determine if anyone should be held responsible for the same.

Paranaque City Engineering Department head Engineer Reydivino Santos-Daval said the wall collapsed inwards and fell on employees who were working inside.

Witnesses said the brick wall collapsed so fast that those working near it did not have enough time to run.

Architect Elmor Vita, the city building official spearheading the investigation, said they have ordered Wilcon and the construction firm it hired to stop all operations for the time being.

He expressed relief that no more bodies were found beneath the rubble when sniffing dogs went around to conduct further checks.

Vita said city officials have yet to speak with the company’s representative, who will be asked to explain what happened and who was at fault.