Camille Naredo

Rescuers at a collapsed building in Angeles City, Pampanga, May 24, 2026. Dennis Datu, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

PAMPANGA

Dennis Datu

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779632969409viber_image_2026-05-24_21-23-38-236.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Rescuers at a collapsed building in Angeles City, Pampanga, May 24, 2026. Dennis Datu, ABS-CBN News" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Rescuers at a collapsed building in Angeles City, Pampanga, May 24, 2026. <em>Dennis Datu, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- A massive search and rescue operation involving multiple government agencies is still underway in Balibago, Angeles City, Pampanga following reports of signs of life being heard beneath the rubble of a collapsed nine-story hotel building that was under construction. </p><p>Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon said during a press briefing that around 20 construction workers are still trapped under the debris. </p><p>“Ang priority natin ngayon is makuha yung mga na-trap,” Dizon said. </p><p>Dizon inspected the collapsed structure on Sunday afternoon, where he spoke with members of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) search and rescue team. According to rescuers, they were able to communicate with some construction workers trapped beneath the rubble. </p><p>“May naririnig kanina, pumunta kami ni mayor at General (Nicolas) Torre doon sa isang area, may mga naririnig ang BFP natin, okay naman sila pero kailangan mabilis natin silang makuha,” Dizon added.</p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/5/24/9-story-building-collapses-in-angeles-pampanga-19-safe-up-to-40-missing-0827"><strong>9-story building collapses in Angeles, Pampanga; 19 safe, up to 40 missing</strong></a></div><p>The BFP is now using hydraulic cutters to remove steel bars pinning down the trapped construction workers. </p><p>Dizon also said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is personally monitoring the ongoing search and rescue operations. </p><p>The BFP is leading the rescue efforts. </p><p>According to BFP Officer-in-Charge F/Chief Supt. Wilberto Rico Neil Kwan Tiu, the collapsed building has been divided into four operational sites to speed up the rescue operation. </p><p>“We divide na building into four areas as a worksite, site number 1, 2, 3, 4. Right now we are at site number 1, fortunately mayroon na tayo nakita na dalawa na signs of life na pinipilit natin marescue,” Kwan Tiu said.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779633000762viber_image_2026-05-24_22-05-02-846.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Rescuers at a collapsed building in Angeles City, Pampanga, May 24, 2026. Dennis Datu, ABS-CBN News" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Rescuers at a collapsed building in Angeles City, Pampanga, May 24, 2026. <em>Dennis Datu, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>Additional BFP Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams have also arrived, including three teams from the National Capital Region, one team from Region 1, and three teams from Region 3. </p><p>The Philippine Army, Philippine Coast Guard, and Philippine National Police are also assisting in the operations. </p><p>“Definitely it will be a long hour operation,” Kwan Tiu said. </p><p>Nearby towns and cities are likewise assisting the Angeles City local government unit. </p><p>The Coast Guard and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) search and rescue teams have also deployed K-9 sniffing dogs to help locate survivors. </p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/5/24/body-of-malaysian-national-retrieved-from-hotel-near-collapsed-building-in-pampanga-1809"><strong>1 dead; rescuers search for 20 missing at collapsed building in Pampanga</strong></a> </div><p>The MMDA has established a command center at the site and brought life-detection equipment capable of detecting human heartbeats beneath the debris. </p><p>“Yung maliliit na butas may mahaba kami microphone na <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/5/24/-signs-of-life-nakikita-pa-umano-sa-gumuhong-gusali-sa-pampanga-2004">makarinig kung may signs of life</a> tapos andyan din life detector natin, yung heart beat detector andyan apat ang dala-dala natin para mapabilis kasama ang mga aso,” said MMDA General Manager Nicolas Torre III. </p><p>According to Dizon, one of the biggest challenges in the operation is the unstable condition of the collapse site, forcing rescuers to manually remove debris to ensure the safety of both trapped survivors and rescue personnel. </p><p>“Ang pinakamahirap dito ay very unstable yun site dahil under construction pa ito puro mga scaffolding yan, mga bakal lang yung nagho-hold doon sa mga debris, kailangan talaga dito mano-mano, so yun ang pinakamalaking challenge,” Dizon explained.</p><p>However, the DPWH chief assured that heavy equipment from the agency is on standby once the BFP gives clearance for deployment. </p><p>As of now, one fatality has been confirmed—a Malaysian national staying at a nearby hotel that was affected by the collapse.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="960" height="540" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/F4u7-q_R6No?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong></div><div>  </div>

<p>A massive search and rescue operation involving multiple government agencies is still underway in Balibago, Angeles City, Pampanga following reports of signs of life being heard beneath the rubble of a collapsed nine-story hotel building that was under construction.</p>

A massive search and rescue operation involving multiple government agencies is still underway in Balibago, Angeles City, Pampanga following reports of signs of life being heard beneath the rubble of a collapsed nine-story hotel building that was under construction.

Signs of life detected, rescuers race to save workers in collapsed Angeles City building

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Signs of life detected, rescuers race to save workers in collapsed Angeles City building

Dennis Datu,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 24, 2026 10:31 PM PHT

Read More:

Search and rescue ops

Collapsed building

BFP

DPWH

Vince Dizon

MMDA

Nicolas Torre

Angeles City

Pampanga

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