Nine confirmed dead in Angeles City building collapse

The death toll in the Angeles City building collapse has climbed to nine, the Bureau of Fire Protection Central Luzon announced.

Amid the search, rescue, and retrieval operation in Brgy. Balibago, three more casualties were recovered from the rubble at 3:43 p.m. on May 31. The individuals have yet to be identified.

On May 24, at least 47 people were affected after a nine-story building in Balibago collapsed during a thunderstorm. Four people were initially reported dead, while 27 were rescued, and 16 are either reported missing or unaccounted for. 

Authorities from the Unified Command System called off search-and-rescue operations the next day. They based the decision on data from a Pasig City Local Government Unit Life Locator, which had consistently failed to detect any signs of life in the area.

Since May 26, operations have focused on retrieval and clearing activities.

On Tuesday, Angeles City Mayor Jon Lazatin called on the contractor and the owner of the collapsed building to "show up and cooperate" with authorities.

"If negligence caused this tragedy, those responsible must answer for it. The government’s duty does not end at the incident site," the Angeles City Information Office wrote.

"The families of the victims deserve answers. The authorities deserve cooperation. The public deserves accountability ...and accountability begins with showing up," the statement continued.

Lazatin has also created a fact-finding and investigation task force to look into the collapse.