Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos, vice chairman of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (CBCP-ECMI), expressed sadness on the news that two overseas Filipino workers were among the fatalities in a gas explosion in Abu Dhabi last August 31.
(CBCP / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
On August 31, the Philippines marked national heroes day.
“We just honor(ed) our living heroes last August 31, they are our OFWs and the medical front liners. Now we lost two OFWs in line of their work,” he said in an interview.
“We see the difficulties and dangers they are into and daily undergoing. So, the more we have to pray for them, appreciate their sacrifices and services, to protect themselves,” added Santos.
He said the CBCP ECMI is praying for the victims as well as their families.
“We, at CBCP ECMI commend their souls to God's mercy and we are praying for strength of their families to hold on to God and rise up from this tragic event,” said Santos.
He also thanked the Philippine Embassy officials for helping and assisting the victims and their families.
“Let us always pray for our OFWs and do always what is best for them,” Santos said.
According to the Department of Labor and Employment, the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Abu Dhabi reported that a total of 10 Filipinos, including two children, figured in the deadly accident reportedly caused by a gas leak inside a Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) restaurant along Airport Road on August 31.
The explosion instantly killed Clark Bacud Gasis, 39, an electrical draughtsman from Surigao del Sur and Merriner Goc-ong Bertoces, 26, a KFC—Abu Dhabi employee from Negros Oriental.
DoLE said the blast also caused injuries to eight other Filipinos. Six of them were immediately taken to the Sheik Khalifa Medical Center (SKMC) for treatment. Five of the injured have already been discharged while the other one identified as Rodel Paclibar remained at the hospital for further observation.
POLO officers also gathered that two Filipino children—a two-month old and three-month old --- were also hurt in the incident but are out of danger.
A total of 28 persons including other nationals were involved in the deadly blast, reports said.