By Jerold Tagbo
Eagle News Service
The number of fatalities in the fire that struck Manila Pavilion Hotel on Sunday has increased to five.
This was after the body of Jocris Banang, a closed-circuit television camera operator, was found in the hotel’s gaming area, the Manila Pavilion management and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) told reporters.
The other fatalities were identified as John Mark Sabido, Billy De Castro, Edilberto Braga Evangelista and Marilyn Omadto.
PAGCOR said it would give P100,000 to each of the fatality’s family.
Supt. Jonas Silvano, Manila fire marshal, said the blaze, which started in the casino on the ground floor and not on the second floor as earlier reports said, was declared out at 10:56 a.m.
The cause of the fire has yet to be determined, with reports saying that the hotel did not have a sprinkler system in place.
This was vehemently denied by the hotel management.
Cooling operations are still ongoing.