Marilyn Cahatol

Article (news)

Jonathan Magistrado

ABS-CBN News

<p>ANGELES CITY, Pampanga — An estimated 30 to 40 people are feared trapped beneath the rubble after a proposed nine-story hotel construction site collapsed along Teodoro Street in Barangay Balibago early Sunday morning, May 24, triggering a massive multi-agency rescue operation.</p><p>The concrete structure, which was being built as a hotel or aparthotel, crumbled at around 3 a.m., prompting an immediate deployment of emergency responders to the scene.</p><p>Angeles City Information Officer Jay Pelayo confirmed that while the exact situation under the debris remains unclear, authorities are aggressively executing a search plan.</p><p>&quot;Wala naman po silang naiulat pa na may nagpapasaklolo, pero nandoon po yung mga team ngayon sa area,&quot; Pelayo said from the LGU Command Center.</p><p>Eight individuals who were in the immediate vicinity during the collapse were successfully rescued.</p><p>Pelayo identified them as &quot;passersby, mga naka-incidentally nandoon po sila doon sa area nung mangyari po yung collapse.&quot;</p><p>All eight sustained minor abrasions, are able to walk, and are currently in stable condition.</p><p>Additionally, the project foreman and 10 of his construction workers managed to escape the falling rubble unscathed.</p><p>They are now in the custody and care of the local government unit (LGU) in stable condition. However, it was the foreman’s initial account that raised the alarm for those left behind.</p><p>Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. is on site leading the multi-agency response, which includes the Angeles City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (ACDRRMO), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and local barangay officials.</p><p>Rescue efforts, however, are being hindered by severe on-scene hazards. Crews are dealing with downed power infrastructure, limiting immediate access to the core of the collapse.</p><p>&quot;Hindi lang po lahat pwedeng maka-access doon dahil medyo maselan pa ho yung may mga kawad ng kuryente ho yung mga inaayos sa area,&quot; Pelayo explained.</p><p>As the search continues, the LGU has launched an inquiry into the building&#x27;s legal standing and structural history.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/5/21/dizon-says-san-agustin-bridge-in-pampanga-to-open-after-long-delay-2055">Dizon says San Agustin Bridge in Pampanga to open after long delay</a></div><p>&quot;&#x27;Yan po ang inaaalam natin ngayon sa kasalukuyan kung anong history nitong construction site na &#x27;to,&quot; Pelayo said, noting that they are verifying the site&#x27;s permits.</p><p>He added that they have yet to hear from the management or ownership of the project. </p><p>Wala pa hong formal na ganung pag-uusap. Inaalam pa natin kung merong makikipag-coordinate sa ACDRRMO dito sa Command Center.&quot;</p><p>While a severe thunderstorm hit the city the previous afternoon, local officials clarified that it is too early to pin the structural failure on the weather.</p><p>&quot;Hindi po pa natin nai-assess kung may factor yung ulan kahapon dito sa nangyari ngayon,&quot; Pelayo concluded.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/1/26/over-20-houses-damaged-after-pampanga-dike-collapses-anew-2231">Over 20 houses damaged after Pampanga dike collapses anew</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tpe_kx2pkNI?si=zV0eI067XNooCU5x" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>An estimated 30 to 40 people are feared trapped beneath the rubble after a proposed nine-story hotel construction site collapsed along Teodoro Street in Barangay Balibago early Sunday morning, May 24, triggering a massive multi-agency rescue operation.</p>

An estimated 30 to 40 people are feared trapped beneath the rubble after a proposed nine-story hotel construction site collapsed along Teodoro Street in Barangay Balibago early Sunday morning, May 24, triggering a massive multi-agency rescue operation.

9-story building collapses in Angeles, Pampanga; 19 safe, up to 40 missing

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9-story building collapses in Angeles, Pampanga; 19 safe, up to 40 missing

Jonathan Magistrado,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 24, 2026 08:27 AM PHT

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Angeles City

Pampanga

building collapse

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