CIDG starts looking into Porac supermarket collapse

April 24, 2019

The Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) has begun looking into the collapse of Chuzon Supermarket in Porac, Pampanga.

Col. Christopher Abrahano, chief of the CIDG's Central Luzon field office, said they have talked to Samuel Chu, owner of the supermarket.

Out of the 16 fatalities in a magnitude 6.1 earthquake which rocked several parts of Luzon Monday, most of the deaths were in Porac, authorities said.

“The owner of the business establishment is cooperating,” Abrahano said in a phone interview with reporters Wednesday.

The CIDG also invited the engineer and contractor of the supermarket.

Abrahano said they asked Chu to submit documents such as the floor plan and list of employees.

He said it is too early to say if the store's construction was substandard, saying they will coordinate with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Abrahano said no deadline has been imposed in their probe but said he wants it finished soonest. DMS