Ex-mayor: Mall fire probe overdue

MANILA, Philippines - Former Caloocan City mayor Macario “Boy” Asistio Jr. yesterday called anew for the release of the inter-agency task force (IATF) report on the four-day fire that razed the Gotesco Grand Central mall last March.

The IATF of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) headed by Senior Superintendent Fennimore Jaudian was ordered by Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo to investigate the incident and come up with its findings within 45 days.

The report is nearly two months overdue.

“What’s taking them so long to reveal their findings to the public? Is there anything to hide?” Asistio asked.

Asitio, along with incumbent Mayor Enrico Echiverri and Vice Mayor Edgar Erice, early called for a deeper investigation into the fire that broke out on March 16 but was put out by firefighters after four days.

Meanwhile, sources said that the mall was not deliberately set on fire, thus there was no case of arson.