The Philippine National Police is considering bringing charges against the owner of a supermarket in Porac, Pampanga province, that crashed down in Monday’s 6.1-magnitude earthquake, trapping dozens of people. Police Gen. Oscar Albayalde, the PNP chief, told reporters on Thursday that charges may also be brought against local officials who issued permits and clearances for the construction of Chuzon Supermarket as well as the building contractor, who might have used substandard materials. Reckless imprudenceChuzon Supermarket owner Samuel Chu appeared at a police station in Porac on Tuesday at the start of an investigation on suspicion the building’s construction may have breached regulations. “Of course, there are local officials who are bound to be held liable also over how the supermarket owner obtained a (building) permit and if there were building code violations,” Albayalde said. The DPWH is trying to determine why the four-story building that housed Chuzon Supermarket failed to stand in the earthquake.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer April 25, 2019 21:33 UTC