Friends say Pinays killed in Dubai warm, friendly

(2nd Update 6:35 pm) MANILA, Philippines - Friends of the three Filipino women killed in a road accident on Sunday are mourning their deaths in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) an online news site reported Monday.

In an interview with Gulf News, Filipino media coordinator Carlos Marcelo expressed disbelief at the deaths of his friends, Cecile and Ethel. The other Filipino fatality was identified as Michelle.

According to Marcelo, he last saw the two laughing and dancing at the Ritazza coffee shop located at the Spectrum Building in Bur Dubai where they apparently also worked.

"Never have I seen Cecile or Ethel or for that matter any of the coffee shop attendants looking glum. I will miss the morning greetings and happy faces when they waved at me when I passed by," Marcelo told Gulf News.

Friends lit candles and offered silent prayers at the coffee shop.

Meanwhile, Carla Matta, a senior stockbroker in Dubai remember the day she heard the news of the Filipinas' deaths.

"I heard about the accident on the radio on my way to work. But it was only after I reached the building that the five dead were those who served us with piping hot coffee every morning," she told the Gulf News.

"They had the finest smile that made your day. They knew everyone of us by our names," she recalled.

On Sunday, the three Filipinas were among five fatalities in a vehicular accident when the minibus transporting them lost control, swerved and landed on the opposite side of the road colliding head on with another vehicle, according to the Gulf News. Four others were reported hurt.

Brigadier Mohammed Saif Al Zafin, Director of General Department of Traffic of the Dubai Police told online news site the Khaleej Times that aside from the Filipinas, 28-year-old Sheryl, an Indian national, and the Egyptian driver of the minbus, Mohammed Nadel died in the incident.

The report mentioned that two other Filipinos were rushed to the hospital. One was discharged shortly after receiving treatment while the other is in critical condition and remains in the ICU as of posting time.

"Cecile, Sheryl and the three others who died in the accident will be remembered for their cheerful exuberance," R. Nair a worker in Spectrum building told the Khaleej Times.

The accident, which took place at 6:25 a.m. opposite Dubai Police Officers' Club, was widely published in several newspapers in the UAE and has caused Dubai’s Public Transportation Prosecution to warn minibus operators against errant drivers who are prone to road accidents.

Authorities are still investigating the incident.

Meanwhile, Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Claro Cristobal told GMANews.TV that the Philippine consulate office in Dubai is coordinating with the victims' employers and Dubai authorities on the repatriation of the bodies.

Cristobal also said that based on the report by Philippine consul general in Dubai Benito Valeriano the two injured Filipinos - both male- remain critical and were brought to the Rashid Hospital. - GMANews.TV

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