NBI: Seized steel bars may have been used in collapsed Angeles building

SUNDAY MORNING CALAMITY Police in Angeles City cordon off the area surrounding the nine-story building project that collapsed before dawn. A Malaysian national identified as a person with disability was killed in a nearby apartment, while many workers remain trapped amid painstaking efforts by rescuers to clear the debris. GRIC C. MONTEGRANDE MANILA, Philippines – Confiscated steel bars may have been used in the construction of the nine-story building in Angeles City, Pampanga, that collapsed last month, according to initial findings of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). Matibag said this after meeting with Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida on Friday morning as NBI wraps up its ongoing investigation into the incident that killed at least 30. READ: Death toll in Angeles building collapse rises to 30 Article continues after this advertisement According to the NBI chief, initial findings link confiscated steel bars to the building collapse, but NBI would soon release a full report on the use of low-grade construction materials in the project. “Well, indeed, we are just addressing some issues that pertain to some operations of the NBI because we are filing cases regarding those substandard metal bars that we intercepted, some of which are loaded with hazardous materials that will affect the health of our fellow countrymen,” Matibag said when asked about his visit to the Department of Justice. His meeting with Vida, however, did not touch on the sedition case of Vice President Sara Duterte pending before the DOJ, noted Matibag. “No, we haven’t discussed it,” Matibag said, noting that the case is still with the National Prosecution Service. Matibag also addressed online criticisms regarding his recent appearance before the impeachment court, rejecting claims that his testimony was mere hearsay. Frances Agbayani, Inquirer intern /jpv Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.