Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to file charges against those who would be found liable for the fatal mall fire in Davao City.
This came on the heels of the directive made by the Department of Justice (DOJ) chief for the NBI to investigate the incident that left over two dozens of people dead few days before Christmas.
Aguirre particularly ordered the NBI to “determine the presence of any criminal liability which led to the fire and the attendant loss of lives” as well as “file the necessary cases against any parties determined by it to be responsible.”
In a statement on Monday, Aguirre likewise said that the findings of the NBI “will enable us to make those responsible fully accountable before our courts via the criminal cases that will be filed.”
“By punishing those responsible, we can set an example to others so that, hopefully, there will be no repetition of these tragedies,” he added.
Thirty-seven individuals reportedly died in the fire that razed the NCCC mall in Davao City last Saturday, December 23, 2017.
Most of the victims were workers of BPO firm SSI, which held office at the uppermost floor of the mall.
In the same statement, Aguirre also extended his condolences to the families of the victims.
“The loss of lives and the resulting damage caused underscore the need to determine if someone is at fault and should be held criminally liable,” he said.
“It is for this reason that I have ordered the NBI last night to conduct a probe to determine the criminal culpability of those responsible. For now, I respectfully request everyone to continue praying for all those affected by this tragedy,” the DOJ chief further said. /kga