Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 3) — The country’s top diplomat in the United Arab Emirates said Thursday that the remains of the two Filipinos killed in a gas explosion in the Gulf state cannot be released yet to their families pending completion of the probe into the incident.
In a Laging Handa briefing, Ambassador Hjayceelyn Quintana said they are coordinating with authorities in Abu Dhabi, and have relayed the information to the families too.
She said she personally spoke with the spouse of one victim and a relative of the other. After the remains are released, Quintana said they would begin to discuss what else can be done to help the families.
“Ang una po nilang gustong malaman ay kung kailan po nila makukuha ang labi ng mga mahal nila sa buhay, at ito po ang aming tinututukan ngayon sa mga awtoridad at pinapaliwanag po sa tin ng awtoridad na bibilisan po nila ang imbestigasyon para mairelease po kaagad ang mga remains,” Quintana said.
[Translation: The first thing they (families) wanted to know was when they could get the remains of their loved ones, and this is something we are following up with authorities who have explained to us that they will hasten the investigation so the remains can be released early]
She said that 10 other Filipinos were hurt in the blast, and eight had to be taken to hospital. Of the eight, she said they received report that only three are still in hospital.
The embassy has not released the names of the victims of Monday’s blast which happened at a fast-food restaurant located at Sheik Rashid Bin Seed Road (also known as Airport Road).
