AUTHORITIES await the autopsy results to determine the exact cause of death of three hotel workers found dead inside a sewage treatment facility at Dusit Thani Hotel on Oct. 5, 2026.
During the Davao Peace and Security Press Corps media briefing, Davao City Police Office (DCPO) spokesperson Lt. Col. Ma. Teresita Gaspan expressed condolences to the victims’ families.
“The investigation of the Davao City Police Office continues. We are waiting for the autopsy results to determine the cause of death,” Gaspan said.
Meanwhile, Dusit Thani released a statement, mourning their deaths and consoling the workers’ families. They also committed to working with the authorities to ferret out the truth.
“We are cooperating fully with the relevant authorities in their investigation. While the investigation is ongoing, we will not speculate on the cause. Further information will be shared once the facts have been confirmed,” the statement said.
Initial reports indicated that the victims, who belonged to the hotel’s engineering department, might have been electrocuted.
However, Gaspan emphasized that no official cause of death has been released pending technical examinations by the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) and forensic experts.
She also appealed to the public and social media users to refrain from spreading speculations.
“We encourage everyone—the public, the media, and social media users—to please refrain from giving speculations as to the cause of death. We will wait for the official results from our authorities and lead investigators to give accurate and timely information.”
Carbon monoxide detected
Fire Senior Inspector Frances Mae Sendrijas, spokesperson for the Davao City Fire District (DCFD), detailed the retrieval operation after receiving a call at 2:36 a.m. on Oct. 5.
First responders from Central 911 and the Sasa Fire Station were first on the scene before the BFP’s Special Rescue Force was deployed due to initial reports of a gas leak and hazardous materials in a confined space.
“Upon verification by our responders, it was detected that there was a presence of carbon monoxide,” Sendrijas said.
She noted that air monitoring equipment registered levels at 50 parts per million (ppm), which is hazardous and can cause dizziness or suffocation with prolonged exposure.
Due to the toxic environment, responders had to ventilate the area before safely retrieving the bodies. The operation was concluded at 5:09 a.m. and the victims were transported to the hospital.
Sendrijas clarified that the BFP only handled the rescue and retrieval operation, while the formal investigation into the cause of death falls under the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Standard air-testing protocol
Addressing questions regarding gas testing, Sendrijas explained that air detection is standard operating procedure for the BFP during hazardous material responses.
Using an air-monitoring device, they confirmed the presence of carbon monoxide within the lifting station, filled with knee-level water.
When asked if the victims had conducted their own gas testing prior to entering, Sendrijas noted that the BFP had no such information, adding that the entry way to the facility was a narrow vertical passage designed for a single person.
Out of respect for the grieving families, the Bureau of Fire Protection withheld the identities of the victims pending official notification.
Dusit Thani statement
It is with profound sadness that we confirm the passing of three members of our engineering team following an incident at Dusit Thani Residence Davao in the early hours of 5 October 2026.
The incident occurred while the team members were carrying out maintenance work at the property’s lifting station.
Emergency services, including Davao City Central 911 and the Bureau of Fire Protection, were called to the scene immediately. Sadly, all three team members lost their lives.
Our heartfelt condolences go to their families, loved ones, and fellow team members. We are in direct contact with each family and are providing our full support.
The affected area has been secured, and all similar work has been suspended pending a full review.
Lifting station
“Lifting means in a certain establishment it is a specialized system designed to pump waste water, it is a wastewater facility (lifting),” Sendrijas explained.
“It’s not really a manhole but the way to enter is only for one person to enter,” she added.
When asked why the three were there, she said they had no idea since the PNP handles the post-incident investigation.
