The Office of the Ombudsman has found probable cause to file graft and criminal charges against Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian and seven other people over their involvement in the deadly fire at Kentex manufacturing Corporation which claimed the lives of at least 76 people last year.
In a statement, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales said that Gatchalian and the seven people from the city鈥檚 Business Permits and Licensing Office, Bureau of Fire Protection and Kentex owner Ong King Guan (aka Terence King Ong) will be facing multiple counts of violation of Sections 3(e) and 3(j) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and Reckless Imprudence resulting in multiple homicides and multiple physical injuries over the deadly fire which gutted the footwear factory last May 13, 2015.
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The Ombudsman said that business permits and Fire Safety Inspection Certificates were issued by city officials despite the company鈥檚 violations of the Fire Code.
鈥淏ased on the investigation, Kentex failed to install a wet standpipe system, [had] unserviceable extinguishers, [lacked] automatic fire alarm and sprinkler system, and [did not conduct] fire exit drills for workers,鈥 the Ombudsman said.
The Ombudsman cited the witnesses鈥 affidavits which said that 鈥淜entex鈥檚 exit gates were locked or padlocked; there were no water sprinklers, fire extinguishers or fire alarms; and Kentex鈥檚 windows were [closed] with grills.鈥
Despite deficiencies in its fire safety measures, the Ombudsman said that the city government still permitted Kentex to operate.
鈥淭he respondents鈥 acts or omissions, taken together, indicate a common understanding among them to turn a blind eye to Kentex鈥檚 delinquency and its foreseeable consequences,鈥 Morales said.
Morales said that Ong 鈥渃annot evade criminal liability for the loss of lives鈥 as 鈥渢he safety of all persons and all operations within the premises rested upon his shoulders.鈥
READ: Kentex victims鈥 kin offered only P136k settlement, lawyer says
Those who are in the charge sheet along with Gatchalian and Ong include: City Marshal Mel Jose Lagan, Senior Inspector Edgrover Oculam, Fire Safety Inspectors Rolando Avendan and Ramon Maderazo, BPLO OIC Renchi May Padayao, and BPLO Licensing Officer Eduardo Carreon. CDG