NBI to probe gov’t agencies’ liabilities in hotel fire

OFF-LIMITS With the fire finally out, authorities begin to look for answers inside the hotel. —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to look into the fire which hit the Manila Pavilion Hotel on Sunday and left five people dead.

In particular, Aguirre wanted the NBI to determine the possible criminal and administrative liabilities of government agencies concerned, including state-owned Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp which operated a casino at the hotel.

“Conduct investigation and case buildup … to determine such facts and circumstances that resulted in the unfortunate event,” Aguirre said in Department Order No. 160 which he signed on Monday.

“File appropriate charges thereon, if any, as evidence may warrant,” he told the NBI. Aside from government agencies, the order also covered officials and employees of the 22-story hotel on UN Avenue.

The fatalities were all Pagcor workers with another still in critical condition at a hospital.