Remains of QC fire victims up for DNA tests

The bodies of the victims who perished in a fire at a house used for  T-shirt printing business in Quezon City will undergo DNA tests for identification.

According to Maki Pulido’s report on “24 Oras” on Friday, the kin of some of the victims traveled from Occidental Mindoro following the tragic incident.

They underwent swab testing at Camp Crame, which is part of the procedures for the DNA testing of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Forensic Group.

Eight of the 18 fire victims came from Occidental Mindoro.

“Mabait po yung anak ko na 'yun…Gusto po sana namin iuwi ang bangkay ng anak ko,” Editha Gallanero, victim Theresa’s mother, said.

(My daughter is kind. We just want to return her remains back home.)

According to Editha, her daughter was working as a helper in the said house. She used to earn P6,000 monthly, which she sent to their family to help with their expenses.

“Sya lang po tumutulong sa akin. Anim po sila…may lima ako nag-aaral na anak,” she added.

(She was the only one who helped me. They were six, five of them are still studying.)

Victim Irene, 17, also earns P6,000 per month, which she gives to her family to help send her sibling to college.

“Hindi pa po nagpa-process sa utak namin na ganyan na yung nangyari,” Rachel Sigalat, the victim’s sister, said.

(We still cannot process what happened.)

“‘Yung nanay at tatay ko po hanggang ngayon hindi makausap. Ayaw daw nila makakita ng picture ng kapatid ko kasi nga bunso,” she added.

(My parents were out of it. They don’t want to see her pictures. She’s our youngest sibling.)

The PNP said it may take a month before the results of the test come out.

The Bureau of Fire Protection has no new statement but it previously said the printing business should have not operated.

Fifteen people, including the owner, died in the tragic incident that occurred in the Pleasant View Subdivision in Barangay Tandang Sora early Thursday at 5:30 a.m.—Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA Integrated News