Kentex fire: Probers looking at ‘sweatshop’ angle
THE Department of Justice (DOJ) will prosecute those responsible for the factory fire in Valenzuela that killed 72 people, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said Tuesday.
De Lima said they are waiting for the outcome of the investigation being conducted by the Philippine National Police (PNP).
“I am sure depending on the outcome of that [PNP] investigation, the PNP will recommend the prosecution of those that may be criminally, administratively and civilly liable,” de Lima told reporters in a chance interview.
She said the PNP and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) are conducting the investigation citing an existing Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).
“If man-made, the PNP will do the investigation but if its natural disaster like Yolanda, it is the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) and this one is fire so whether it is accidental or not, we can consider that as man-made and therefore, PNP,” de Lima said.
De Lima added that another aspect that probers are looking at is the report that the factory is a “sweatshop.”
“Of course, other dimensions of that tragedy for example there are indications that the factory is a sweatshop. The workers in that factory are working under less than ideal conditions that may have contributed to the magnitude of that tragedy. Someone should be held liable for that,” de Lima said.
Over 70 people were killed while at least 30 more are still missing in the Kentex warehouse in Valenzuela City last week. AC
