DFA releases names of OFWs in Brunei fire

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) identified late Saturday the overseas Filipino workers who died and those who survived in a fire that hit a rented house in Brunei before dawn Friday.

In a statement on its Web site, the DFA said Philippine authorities have also started extending assistance to the victims.

According to Philippine Ambassador Virginia Benavidez, the fire hit the Kuala Belait District in Brunei Darussalam at around 3:30 a.m.
Friday.

She identified the fatalities as seamstress Corazon Tayco Mabini from Aklan, Susana Adriano Gonzales from Bulacan, Zosima Dionisio Pineda from Bulacan; cook Bernardo Roda Gervacio from San Juan City; and waitress Maria Ellen Joy Solidum from Sto. Tomas, Batangas.

Juvy Umiten, an office worker, suffered serious spine injuries after she jumped from the window of her room. She underwent an urgent spine operation at the RIPAS Hospital in Bandar Seri Begawan Friday.

Other survivors included Reynaldo Daguinod, Kenneth Calvin Masangcay, Larry Ermitanio, Jonathan Del Rosario, Lorie Jane Diente, Maricel Montiano, Obeth Canaling, Barry Mabini, Dionito Mabini Jr., Ricardo Estrella, Vivian Quimno, Grace Martillano, Vincent Cuyos, Tita Cruz Iral, Joel Iral and Joel Del Rosario.

Benavides led a team to the area to assess the situation. The team brought clothing and cash donated by the Philippine Embassy personnel and members of the Filipino Community in Bandar Seri Begawan.

Labor Attaché Elizabeth Recio likewise arrived in Kuala Belait early Friday to assist the survivors by coordinating with the authorities and the victims' employers.

Recio also accompanied the survivors to the police station where they gave their respective statements on the incident.

Welfare Officer Norlita Lugtu, on the other hand, closely monitored Umiten's situation at the RIPAS Hospital in Bandar Seri Begawan. She underwent an emergency spine operation Friday night.

Benavidez said she visited her to check on her condition and she was informed that the operation was successful. - GMANews.TV

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