MANILA, Philippines — Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año on Friday ordered a fact-finding investigation into the death of Michelle Silvertino, the 33-year-old single mother who died at a Pasay City footbridge waiting for a bus ride going home to Camarines Sur.
“Magpa fact-finding ako (I will order a fact-finding probe) to get the facts and determine what really happened,” Año said in a text message when asked if his department will investigate Silvertino’s death.
Año said he directed the Philippine National Police to conduct the investigation and immediately submit the report.
Reports say Silvertino, a mother of four children, waited for days to find a bus ride going to Camarines Sur and that police found her unconscious at a footbridge in Pasay City.
Prior to this, a concerned citizen went to a police substation to report that Silvertino had difficulty breathing and had a high fever.
Silvertino was consequently rushed to the Pasay City General Hospital where she later died.
She was buried at a Pasay public cemetery on June 7. Her burial expenses were shouldered by the local government.
Pasay City Mayor Emi-Calixto Rubiano said her staff went to check on Silvertino but they could not find her because she “frequently moved from one place to another.”
But according to Silvertino’s mom, Marlyn, her daughter called her last June 3, saying she was among the number of stranded passengers for Bicol who were staying at the footbridge.
Marlyn said policemen and soldiers manning the footbridge ignored Silvertino’s plea for help.
KGA
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