Government launches probe on deadly shipyard mishap - Lacierda

The Aquino administration began investigating possible safety standard violations in the accident that killed at least five workers at a ship repair facility in Subic, Zambales Friday. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said Saturday the government is "going to determine through the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) kung ano ang nangyari sa Subic and if any safety standards were violated," Lacierda said on government-run dzRB radio. When asked if the government may be stricter in dealing with foreign investors if there was found negligent in Friday’s tragedy, he said, “We totally agree with that (because) there are existing safety standards." But he also pointed out that foreign locator Keppel had expressed willingness to shoulder the hospitalization and medical assistance expenses resulting from the incident. On Friday, at least five people were reported killed while eight were injured after a 42-ton ramp collapsed on workers at the ship repair facility of Keppel. Subic Mayor Jay Khonghun noted the ship repair facility of locator Keppel Group is under the jurisdiction of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority. — ELR, GMA News