CAMP ALEJO SANTOS, Bulacan — An octogenarian was killed while 52 others were injured after the choir loft in the second floor of the St. Peter the Apostle Church in Barangay Tungkong Mangga in the City of San Jose Del Monte suddenly collapsed during a morning mass ceremony on Ash Wednesday.
in his statement, Col. Relly B. Arnedo, Bulacan provincial director said the incident, which occurred during a solemn moment of prayer and devotion, resulted in injuries of 53 devout attendees including an 80-year-old identified as Luneta Morales, who was severely injured by the falling debris and later on passed away in an ICU in an unknown hospital.
“The mass had commenced at 6:30 in the morning, and within an hour, the collapse took place, causing distress and chaos among the congregation,” Arnedo said.
He added that the swift action was taken by the personnel of Bulacan 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company, who responded and provided police assistance and ground security following the collapse, with injured individuals promptly transported to various hospitals in the vicinity for urgent medical attention. The incident was reported to SJDM police around 8:30 a.m., initiating an immediate response to the scene.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured individuals and their families during this challenging time. We extend our gratitude to the emergency responders and healthcare professionals for their swift and compassionate response to the crisis,” Arnedo remarked.
In a report of Gina Ayson, of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) the devotees who sustained minor injuries were immediately taken to five hospitals, and who were later sent home.
“The said church had undergone renovation but inside the church and its mezzanine are already old,” Ayson added.
While, according to Father Romulo Perez, parish priest of St. Peter the Apostle Church, says the second floor of the said church have been infested by termites or anay.
Meanwhile, the engineering department of CSJDM announced that the church will not be used for other activities, based on the directive of City Mayor Arthur Robes, after which financial assistance will be given to those injured in the incident.
The city government will shoulder all the medical expenses of the 52 victims the city information office said. (UnliNews Online)
