10 more Pinoys added to Maui wildfires death toll

NEW YORK CITY - Authorities in Maui, Hawaii added 10 more Filipinos to the list of those who died in the tragic wildfires that occurred on August 8.

The death toll among Filipinos and Filipino-Americans thus climbed to 29.

The newly identified victims include seven members of the Quijano family and two members of the Recolizado family.

The Quijano family, originally from Ilocos, suffered the devastating loss of Adela Quijano Villegas, her husband Joel Villegas, Felimon Quijano, Junmark Geovannie Quijano, Angelic Quijano Baclig, Lydia Coloma and Luz Bernabe. According to the investigation, they were together in a vehicle and trapped by the fire.

Additionally, two members of the Recolizado family have been identified through DNA samples. These victims are Maria Victoria Recolizado, 51, and Justine Recolizado, 11.

They are related to Eugene Recolizado who also perished in the tragedy. The Recolizado family hails from San Juan, Metro Manila.

Reveling Tomboc, 81, mother of another victim Bibiana Tomboc Lutrania who died in the wildfire, was also recognized as a victim. The Tomboc family is originally from Pangasinan.

Another Filipino is still unaccounted for, Allen Constantino, son of Leticia Constantino, who also met the same fate in the tragedy.

As of this date, the County of Maui has confirmed that 97 people were killed in the most tragic wildfire in the history of Hawaii. Eighty-nine of these victims have already been identified.

The Maui Police Department is urging the public to report to them if their loved ones are still missing.

A makeshift memorial has been erected by the people of Lahaina not far from the location where the wildfire ravaged around two thousand establishments and residences.

Families and friends of the deceased placed flags and wooden crosses bearing the names of the victims, as the community continues to remember and mourn their loved ones.

Below is the list of Filipino and Filipino-American individuals who perished in the Lahaina wildfire tragedy:

1. Rogelio Mabalot Sr, 68
2. Salvador Coloma, 77
3. Rodolfo Rocutan, 76
4. Conchita Sagudang, 75
5. Danilo Sagudang, 55
6. Alfredo Galinato, 79
7. Carlo Tobias, 54
8. Pablo Pagdilao, 75
9. Narciso Baylosis, 67
10. Vanessa Baylosis, 67
11. Eugene Recolizado, 51
12. Joseph Lara, 86
13. Glenda Yabes, 48
14. Buddy Jantoc, 79
15. Leticia Constantino, 56
16. Raffy Imperial, 63
17. Bibiana Tomboc Lutrania, 58
18. Reveling Baybayan Tomboc, 81
19. Maurice Buen, aka Shadow, 79
20. Marilou Dias, 60
21. Maria Victoria Recolizado, 51
22. Justine Recolizado, 11
23. Adela Quijano Villegas, 70
24. Joel Villegas
25. Felimon Quijano
26. Junmark Geovannie Quijano
27. Angelic Quijano Baclig
28. Luz Bernabe, 65
29. Lydia Coloma

The National Weather Service earlier said the wildfires were fueled by dry vegetation, strong winds, and low humidity. The winds from Hurricane Dora then fanned the flames across the state, Reuters reported. —KG, GMA Integrated News