Davao City—The Department of the Interior and Local Government has released names of 32 people who may be criminally charged for the Dec. 23 NCCC fire incident that killed 38.
On Friday, DILG OIC Secretary Eduardo Año said they had submitted the names of the individuals who would be facing possible charges due to the fire incident.
“We submitted the names for possible charges to the DoJ [Department of Justice] last March 9,” Año said. “We are still waiting for the response.”
Criminal charges for Violation Article 365 of the Revised Penal Code or Reckless Imprudence Resulting in Multiple Homicide were up against NCCC Mall employees: Helen A. Lim; Ivy Michelle A. Lim; Sharlene Faye A. Lim; Ivan Spencer A. Lim; Julie Ann C. Lim; and Ramon del Castillo.
Survey Sampling International Philippines officials: Jose Antonio T. San Gabriel; Riza Lyn M. Ocampo; Rey R. Roble; Christopher M. Fanning; and David Ian Weatherseed.
AC Rockport Construction and Development Corporation officers and project engineers: Arturo C. Arrojado; Maria Lilibeth A. Olarte; Carmelie P. Arrojado; Danna Patricia P. Arrojado; Carmen S. Paluga; and Engr. Wilson Velasquez.
Former Office of the Building Official head Joaquin B. Cui Jr. will also face possible charges for violation of Sec. 3 of Republic Act 3019 or Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices.
Same charges are also up against Philippine Economic Zone Authority Mactan officials: Sansulana A.Pinagayo; Darlyn Nazareno; and Nicasio G. Mamites.
Bureau of Fire Protection Davao Officers: Superintendent Carlo T. Dueñas; Sr. Insp. Jeanny S. Calvario; Insp. Renero G. Jimenez; SFO4 Dioscoro M. Baja Jr.; SFO2 Joel L. Quismundo; SFO1 Roger B. Dumag; and SFO1 Leo C. Lauzon.
Violation of RA 9514 or the Comprehensive Fire Code of the Philippines particularly Paragraph 2(b) in relation to Paragraph 2(a)(3) were filed against PEZA plan evaluator Arvin Tero, five BFP Davao Personnel who are: Calvario; Baja; Quismundo; Dumag; and Lauzon.
Also, violation of Paragraph 4, Article 171 of the Revised Penal Code were up against Quismundo and Lauzon of BFP Davao and Tero of Peza.
Administrative charges for grave misconduct against Cui of City Building Official, Peza officials: Pinagayao; Nazareno; and Mamites, and BFP Davao officers: Dueñas; Calvario; Jimenez; Baja; Quismundo; Dumag; and Lauzon.
Grave misconduct for violating Sec. 3(e) of RA 3019 or Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices; Sec. 11(2) of RA 9514; Par. 4, Art. 171 or Falsification of public documents are filed against Tero of PEZA and Quismundo and Lauzon of BFP.
Lastly, Violation of Sec 11 (2)(9)(8) of RA 9514 are up against Former Davao Fore Marshals Supt. Honee Fritz A. Alagano and Chief Insp. Edgar W. Tanawan.
All BFP officials who were charged with liabilities due to the NCCC fire were all relieved from their post.
Año cited several violation of NCCC management that resulted in the incident such as failure to secure permits for their renovation and failure to inform the BFP that they have closed the sprinklers due to the renovation among others.
“Most of the big establishments really closed their sprinklers due to its sensitivity that can greatly affect their business, but that is a wrong practice. They can be facing (sic) criminal charges if a fire incident will occur,” he said.
The NCCC fire showed the weakness of the BFP in terms of modernized equipment that the DILG was trying to fill in now.
Año said P1 billion worth of modern equipment was already up for procurement and would arrive within the year.
The modern equipment include area ladders, 2,500 unit tanker trucks, self-containing breathing apparatus and many more.
“Series of training were also conducted to further improve our BFP,” he said.
“The P1 billion worth of equipment is just the first batch. The president promised us that after the procurement of the 1st batch he will give us another P1 billion for the second batch.”