DAVAO CITY — President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday promised a ‘thorough’ investigation into the New City Commercial Center (NCCC) shopping mall fire that left at least 37 people dead two days before Christmas.
Duterte said in a private meeting with the kin of the victims at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) that there will be an inter-agency body to investigate the incident.
“Now, I will assure you that I will call the investigators of NBI (National Bureau of Investigation), police (Philippine National Police), and Bureau of Fire (Bureau of Fire Protection),” Duterte said in the vernacular, adding that the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) will also participate in the probe.
The president also promised that the truth will come out regarding the incident.
“So what is there to talk about the fire? What I assured them is that the truth will — Let the truth come out,” Duterte said.
“I was the one who broke the news to them because Inday begged off. She told me, I can’t do it], father.’ And I am used to these kinds of situations,” Duterte added in mix Filipino and English, referring to his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.
Duterte reiterated the government’s commitment to help the bereaved families in recovering the bodies of their loved ones, assuring them of financial assistance.
“That’s what they are after, too. And maybe the compensation and the expenses are answered. But me, I already committed that government is willing to chip in,” Duterte said in mix Filipino and English.
Duterte turned down assertions that there are still two bodies missing – one from allegedly a NCCC mall employee and a foreign national.
“Why would they include a foreign national? What would a foreign national do there in such an early time,” Duterte said.
Authorities said the blaze at the NCCC mall started at about past 9 am of December 23 at the furniture area on the third floor.