The House Committees on Games and Amusement and Public Order and Safety will start a joint investigation on the Resorts World Manila incident tomorrow.
The investigation will be held at the Conference Hall of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 at 9 a.m.
Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe and Quezon City Rep. Winston “Winnie” Castelo, chairman of the House Committee on Metro Manila Development, said the probe will zero in the possible security lapses of the Resorts World management that led to death of Elizabeth Panlilio Mendoza, Pampanga Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales’ wife, and 36 others.
“We will determine the lapses in security of the officers manning the hotel and alleged failure of hotel smoke detectors and sprinkle system and locked fire exits that contributed to those who perished,” Castelo said.
Parañaque City Rep. Gus Tambunting, chairman of the House Committee on Games and Amusement, said his panel is ready to look into the tragic incident.
“We will investigate. It’s mind-boggling how a man can bring in a long firearm and gasoline just like that. The public deserves to know what really happened,” Tambunting said.
House senior Deputy Minority Leader and Buhay Hayaang Yumabong party-list Rep. Lito Atienza said the Resorts World management should be held liable over the loss of lives.
“There are several questions that Resorts World management needs to answer – the first is how come not all the emergency water sprinklers were working when the fires broke out? These should automatically switch on in the event of a fire. Secondly, how could a fully armed man have entered the premises, pointing his gun at everyone? How could he have entered the gate that had seemingly very strict security measures employed for civilians entering the casino?” he said. (Charissa M. Luci and Ben R. Rosario)