7 killed in Samar explosion: Fuel tanker, victims now identified

CATBALOGAN CITY, Philippines — The Samar Police Provincial Office on Tuesday finally identified the company that owns the fuel tanker that exploded early Sunday in Pinabacdao, Samar that resulted in the death of seven people, three of them children.

Superintendent Jennifer Sumpo, SPPO public relations officer, said representatives of the Total Oil and Gas Resources, Inc., led by its sales manager Garry Ortega and depot supervisor Fidel Macapanas presented themselves to the police and claimed ownership of the ill-fated fuel tanker.

The appearance of the fuel company’s officials also led to the identification of the four burnt cadavers who were unknown since last Sunday incident.

The four were identified as tanker driver Romeo Oquien of Negros province, and hitchhikers from Tabango town in Leyte: Evangeline Luchaves, Apple Chan Luchaves (7 years old) and Keisha Jane Luchaves (4).

“There were seven fatalities in the incident, but the three were already identified right after the incident because they were all residents in the area,” Sumpo said.

She said the 3 other fatalities were Michael Buenavides, 20, his wife Maryjoy Buenavides, 18, and their 6 months old daughter Angela. There were two others who were reportedly injured.

Based on the completed report of the SPPO, the fuel tanker reportedly was navigating northward the Maharlika Highway from Tacloban City, but it allegedly lost control upon reaching the curve part of the highway within the area of Barangay Lale in Pinabacdao town.

The tanker eventually rammed into three houses which occupants were fast asleep. Then it exploded, killing the seven on the spot.

The oil tanker was beyond recognition as a result of the explosion and the subsequent fire. “This time it’s quite clear, the three victims were from the said village, while the four cadavers came from the fuel tanker,” Sumpo told The Freeman.

The company representatives did not issue any statement yet to the media about the incident, but they reportedly started communicating with the relatives of all the victims. They also went over to the funeral parlor in this city where the remains of the seven were brought after the incident. (BANAT NEWS)