SM top exec Efren Tan falls to death

A top official of SM Development Corp. (SMDC) died on Wednesday morning after he fell from the balcony of his condominium unit in Makati City.

The body of Efren Tan, 52, vice president for sales and property of the residential property developer, was found on a concrete canopy at the seventh floor of BSA Tower on Legazpi Street in Legazpi Village at 9:40 a.m.

Tan owned a unit on the 16th floor of the building although he stayed there only occasionally, Senior Supt. Manuel Lukban, Makati police chief, told the Inquirer.

Before he fell to his death, Tan was dropped off at the condominium by his driver.

“He went inside the building and took the elevator alone to get to his apartment. According to his driver, he looked troubled,” Lukban said.

Moments later, people living in the condominium heard a loud thud, prompting them to look for the source of the noise. They then found the businessman’s bloodied body sprawled on the canopy.

While the police have yet to finish their probe, several clues in the case pointed to suicide.

Lukban said that the apartment of the victim appeared tidy and in order and there were no signs that a struggle or fight had taken place.

The police official also noted that the balcony railing in Tan’s apartment was quite high, making it difficult for anyone to fall off by accident.

Probers also found his fingerprints on the railing.

In a text message to the Inquirer, SM Investments head Cora Guidote said: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Efren. His death is a big loss to SMDC. Efren [was] an excellent sales executive who was instrumental in growing the sales team of SMDC from a very small operation to where it is now. We mourn his passing with his family and close friends, and pray for his eternal repose.” With Miguel R. Camus