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Tributes from UAE-based OFWs pour in on social media as families mourn loss of 2 Filipinos killed in Abu Dhabi blast

The overseas Filipino community in the UAE has come together on social media to mourn the loss of their two compatriots who died in a gas leak blast in Abu Dhabi on August 31.

Clark Bacud Gasis, 39, and Merriner Bartoces, 25, were identified as the two Filipino fatalities in the gas leak blast that happened along Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Road.

According to the Philippines’ labor department, at least 10 Filipinos including two children were injured. Most of them have already recovered. As of September 3, only two injured OFWs are undergoing treatment.

Ambassador Hjayceelyn M. Quintana of the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi continues to monitor the condition of the injured and has reached out to the families of the fatalities, assuring them that all necessary assistance will be provided by the Philippine government.

gasis family MAIN

Clark Bacud Gasis, 39, with his wife and two children

On the Facebook account of Clark’s wife Elna, OFWs in the UAE as well as their relatives and friends conveyed their message of sympathy for the untimely passing of her husband, as she posted a profile a photo of their family.

Clark was an electrical draftsman who hails from Surigao del Sur.

In an interview with The Filipino Times, Elna recounted that her husband was set to have a medical checkup that day.

“Hinatid pa niya ako sa opisina at magpapa-medical lang sana siya noong araw na iyon at mag-aayos ng mga papeles,” recalls Elna.

Elna said that she and Clark used to be regulars at the restaurant which was the last known whereabouts of her husband: “Napadaan lang siya dahil doon kami dati nakatira at madalas kaming kumakain doon.”

When the blast happened, Elna messaged her husband to ask him if he was at the area. However, she didn’t get any response from Clark.

Elna recalled, “Nang malaman ko yung pagsabog noong 10:30, nag-message ako agad sa kanya pero walang sagot. Umabot ako ng apat na missed call sa kanya, hindi siya sumasagot hanggang 11:30. Kaya nung mag lunch break na ako ng 1pm, pinuntahan ko siya agad kung saan siya dapat magpapa-medical, pero hindi ko nakita doon ang sasakyan nya.

“Malayo pa lang nakita ko na yung sasakyan, nung nilapitan ko – doon ko nakumpirma na sasakyan nga ng asawa ko yoon. Nakita ko pa sa loob ng sasakyan yung mga papeles at pagkain. Doon na ko umiyak nang umiyak dahil 3 oras na ang nakakalipas ay hindi pa rin siya sumasagot.”

The Filipina intends to go back to the UAE after the burial of Clark in his hometown. She said she wanted to give their children a good future which was also the aspiration of her late husband.

Merinner

Merriner Bartoces, 25 (Photo from Facebook account)

Meanwhile, Bartoces’ story as a breadwinner of her family has tugged at the heartstrings of her kababayans in the UAE.

In an exclusive interview of TFT with her family in the Philippines, they said the young Filipina wanted to migrate to Canada and bring the entire family there once settled.

The 25-year-old restaurant worker is the eldest among her four siblings.

He sister, Rachel Bartoces, said “Nade-depress po talaga kaming lahat. Iyong tatay namin araw-araw umiiyak. Ang dami niyang pangarap para sa amin kaso ngayon nawala naman siya.”

Days before the tragic incident, Merriner sent money to her family in Dumaguete. The family said they were able to thank her for her unrelentless support to them, especially in these difficult times of COVID-19 pandemic.

“Nagpadala pa po siya ng panggastos nila Mama at Papa, masaya naman po ang pag uusap namin noong sinabi niyang nakapagpadala na siya,” said Rachel.

Earlier, the Labor Department assured that both of their families will receive P120,000 bereavement assistance each from the government.

“They will also get insurance benefits if they are qualified members of the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration,” Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello said.
Bello said OWWA would be ready to provide more aid allowed by law to the families of the victims. “We will extend to them all the support the government can provide,” he added.

The death in the gas leak explosion has climbed to three with a Sri Lankan expat as the latest confirmed fatality, Khaleej Times.

“The Sri Lanka Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Foreign Ministry are in contact with the UAE law enforcement and hospital authorities to provide the necessary assistance,” the Sri Lankan embassy in the UAE said.

Staff Report

The Filipino Times is the chronicler of stories for, of and by Filipinos all over the world, reaching more than 236 countries in readership. Any interesting story to share? Email us at [email protected]

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