19-year-old tattoo artist electrocuted by DIY tattoo machine

A budding tattoo artist in Mati City, Davao Oriental died after being electrocuted when he used an improvised tattoo machine.

In a "24 Oras" report by Mark Salazar on Tuesday, the 19-year-old victim Angelo Zafra was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.

“Noon pa lang daw na mga panahon gumamit nito ng kanyang mga kaibigan. Noon pa lang daw na panahon sila nag-improvise ng tattoo machine.” Mati City Police chief Lieutenant Colonel Ernesto Gregorio said.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Tattoo Artist Guild expressed grief over the incident.  It added proper guidance and assistance could have saved the victim.

The guild also raised its call of regulating tattoo artistry through licensing and proper permits.

“Sana magkaroon kami ng lisensya, para hindi basta basta para sa lahat ang pagtatattoo,” the group's spokesperson Maru Plata said.—Jiselle Casucian/LDF, GMA Integrated News