Pinoy family in Barcelona terror attack back in Ireland


The terrorist attack in Las Ramblas in Barcelona, Spain, earlier this month left the two children of a Filipino-Irish couple so "traumatized" that they "shout and cry" at the smallest noise, according to a report on the Irish Times.
Norman and Pederlita Potot's son Nathaniel, 5 years old, suffered a broken femur from the attack while their daughter Nailah, 9, suffered a broken arm. The attack left 13 people dead and more than 100 injured.
The family has since returned to Ireland.
Speaking about their experience with RTÉ News, Norman recalled that they were buying souvenirs in Las Ramblas when the van sped toward his family and other tourists.
Norman suffered a fracture to his forehead and a bruised kidney when the impact from the van threw him to the ground. Pederlita saw her husband's bloody face and thought he died but struggled until he woke up.
"By the time he woke up, I went to my kids. That's the time the police told us to run away from that place, to hide somewhere," Pederlita told RTÉ.
Out of fear that the attackers had guns, the Potot family and other victims were taken to a basement to hide until authorities cleared the area.
"While she's wiping my forehead, I told her 'My love, hopefully this is only a dream.' And she replied: 'No my love, it is real.' That's what I remember," Norman said.
Spain's King Felipe and Queen Letizia visited the family while recuperating at a hospital.
Norman said they feel "very safe" back in Ireland but described the attack as a "really horrible experience," while his wife said they were "very sad, but I'm trying to be okay for my kids."
Another vehicular attack took place in the seaside resort of Cambrils hours after the attack in Barcelona. Both attacks were claimed by the Islamic State group. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News

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