CCPO warns contractor for obstruction of justice

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) is looking at possible criminal liability of the construction firm involved in the construction of a condominium project that collapsed Friday killing one worker and injured another.

Police Major Renz Talosig, Mabolo Police Station chief, said they are yet to establish the possible negligence of PLD Construction since the latter has not issued statement to investigator on the day of the incident.

“So atong gibuhat karon, nag-follow-up og investigation, niadto ang investigator sa site gihapon karon, atong tan-awon kung makakuha ba siya og laing statement sa PLD Construction," Talosig told reporters.

The contractor earlier said that it has also started its own investigation and expressed full cooperation with the Office of the Building Official (OBO).

PLD Construction, in a statement said, that its developer also pledged to provide additional support, and have required them to fully comply with the necessary measures.

However, Talosig yesterday said "ang katong PLD Construction dili gyud sila cooperative, dili sila willing mohatag og statement nila, mao to atong gi-follow-up karon."

Talosig said that they will also get in touch with the families of the victims if they are willing to pursue charges against the construction firm.

Meanwhile, CCPO deputy director for operations, Police Lt. Colonel Wilbert Parilla, said that should the PLD Construction will not be cooperating with them, they will press charges for obstruction of justice.

"If kung dili gyud sila mo-cooperate sa atong investigation no, we could also file obstruction of justice sa company kung during sa atong ipadala ngadto nga investigators ug until karon di gihapon sila mo-cooperate, then we will put it into a record, so that we can also file appropriate charges against the company,” said Parilla.

Over this, Parilla said the decision of the families of the victims could be vital on the possible filing of charges since they will stand as complainants against the company.

Parilla also assured that should they will decide, the police would be much willing to assist them.

At present, the investigators are coordinating with the victims since they are yet to decide on the matter.

Furthermore, the CCPO is also eyeing to conduct a joint inspection on the site with the OBO as part of the gathering of possible pieces of evidence.

"Because last Saturday, duna naman tay mga initial but that's not enough, we should also go with the OBO kay ang OBO man gud ang naay kapasidad kung duna ba gyud silay lapses,” said Parilla.

This is also to let the OBO assess the area and come up with a recommendation to the police if lapses are found.

The police will be also looking into the allegations that the incident was reported late after the actual incident.

According to Parilla, what transpired that day was recorded and the matter is included on their investigation.

"Dapat man gyud unta ana, i-report unta na dayon and then ang company ila gyud ng obligasyon pag-report dayon sa police but most of the cases, ang nga biktima dili na willing mo-cooperate so ang ebidensya dili na enough to file the charges,” said Parilla.

The CCPO is calling on the victims to file the complaint in order for the charges to proceed. —  (FREEMAN)