Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Sunday (June 21) turned out to be the darkest Father’s Day for Francisco Rada.
He was among those who went to the gutted factory of Kentex Manufacturing Corp. in Valenzuela to mark the 40th day since a fire gutted the building, leaving 72 of its workers dead.
Rada, a banana farmer, came all the way from Sibuyan Island in Romblon to join the commemoration.
Two of the workers who died were his children — 25-year-old son Rickson and 22-year-old daughter Girlie.
He wept as he recalled good memories he shared with his son and daughter.
He said they went to Manila to seek greener pastures, Rickson leaving home four years ago, Girlie following him last year.
“Mahirap po ang buhay namin kaya po sila pumunta dito,” he said.
[Translation: “We had a hard life. That’s why they went here.”]
Rickson and Girlie endured the conditions inside the factory, including the foul smell of chemicals being used for making slippers.
Despite being underpaid, Rickson and Girlie would each send him P2,000.
“Malaki po ang nawala sa akin. Hindi na po ako nakakatanggap ng tulong,” he said, breaking into tears.
[Translation: “I lost so much. I no longer get any help.’]
He vowed to continue pursuing the case against Kentex and other government agencies that should be liable for the tragedy.
Six Kentex officials are now facing charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and physical injuries before the Valenzuela Prosecutor’s Offfice.
Another of Rada’s daughters, Phoemela, revealed to CNN Philippines that Kentex offered the families of the victims at least P100,000 each to drop their case.
Others accepted the offer, but Phoemela said her family refused.
Meanwhile, labor groups and the relatives of other victims brought flowers and lit candles outside the gutted factory site.
Artists did some paintings at a wall of the destroyed factory depicting a call to end contractualization and to give justice for the victims.
