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Bus blast death toll now 5; victims' kin cry out for justice


The death toll from a blast that ripped a passenger bus in Makati City Tuesday rose to five early Wednesday after one of the victims succumbed to her wounds. Radio dzBB's Manny Vargas reported the victim, Iris Teñola, died at 1:55 a.m., shortly after being transferred to the Makati Medical Center from the Ospital ng Makati. Meanwhile, relatives of the other fatalities asked government to ensure justice for their loved ones. Christy de Leon, aunt of Jhohanson Reyes, particularly called on authorities to make sure the perpetrators are brought to justice. De Leon said Reyes' death was the latest tragedy to hit the family after his father succumbed to cancer last year. She said Jhohanson was looking for a job so he can support his mother and finance his 17-year-old sister's college education. Jhohanson's sister had to stop schooling because of their father's illness at the time, she added. Killed along with Reyes and Teñola were Reyes' girlfriend Kristel Andes; Mariano Salustiano, 57; and a still-unidentified person.

On the other hand, those who are being treated at the Ospital ng Makati were:
  • Mabel Gozon, 40, of Tanay, Rizal;
  • Mary Grace Borodian, 29, of Pasig City;
  • Antonio Lino, 41, of San Mateo, Rizal; and
  • Jeffrey Victoriano, 27, of Taguig City.
Those brought to the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Global City were:
  • Roy Saguit, 40;
  • Fe An Padilla Sy, 26;
  • Fleur An Sy, 25;
  • Aiza Hutalle Peralta, 26;
  • Virgilio Reyes, 76;
  • Paul Richard Reyes Obial II, 31;
  • Jennifer Valdez Andoque, 19;
  • Veronica Sanchez Gando, 24; and
  • Gloria Aquino Reyes, 71
Stress debriefing President Benigno Aquino III visited the victims at the St. Luke's and Ospital ng Makati Tuesday night. A dzBB report said Aquino talked to some of the victims and assured them government will shoulder their hospital expenses. With him were secretaries Corazon Soliman (social welfare) and Jesse Robredo (interior). Soliman said the victims are to undergo stress debriefing starting Wednesday. "President Aquino ordered us to make sure their [victims] needs are met, especially health. Government will shoulder their hospitalization expenses," Soliman said. — LBG, GMANews.TV
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