BOCAUE, Bulacan – Three of the five fireworks chemical blast victims in this town have succumbed to serious burn injuries.
Bocaue Mayor Eleonore “Joni” Villanueva-Tugna said that Isaac Paraiso and Jamil Roxas, both 15-years-old, died Tuesday, while the other one, whose name is still being validated, expired Thursday.
The other victims of the Jan. 26 blast were identified as Mark Joseph Ignacio, 16, and Jessie Habal and John David Yambao, both 15.
“The victims were said to be cracking a coconut in an abandoned shanty in Barangay Lolomboy when an abandoned pile of fireworks chemicals ignited, causing serious burn injuries to their bodies,” the mayor said.
Villanueva-Tugna said the municipal government of Bocaue will extend financial help for the medical expenses of the surviving victims and burial expenses for those who have already died.
Bocaue police chief, Supt. Amado Mendoza Jr., identified Rolando Alejandro, a resident of Barangay Bambang in Bocaue, as the owner of the abandoned shanty where the stockpile of chemicals ignited.
“Alejandro is not a registered fireworks manufacturer or dealer, and is now facing charges for violations of the Fire Safety Code and negligence leading to homicide based on the revised Penal Code,” Mendoza added. (PNA and Freddie Velez)