Owner of Serendra unit hit by blast vows to cooperate with probers

A section of Two Serendra condominium hit by an explosion in the upscale Bonifacio Global City. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Cayton family who owns the unit in Two Serendra in Taguig City that was hit by an explosion Friday evening said they would cooperate with authorities in finding out what caused the blast.

“On behalf of the Cayton family we would like to express our deepest sympathy to the families of the victims of this tragedy. We are equally devastated by damage that this has caused us. We are simple people and this property was purchased through our hard earned money with the desire to maintain our Filipino roots, traditions and culture even as we now live in the United States,” said Marianne Cayton, wife of unit owner George Cayton, in a statement handed out to reporters by lawyer Raymund Fortun at St. Luke’s Medical Center.

Three were killed and five others were injured during the blast.

She said she would be returning to the Philippines to help with the investigation even as her “traumatized” children “begged” her not do so.

“Our family is committed in cooperating fully with the authorities,” Marianne added.

Marianne also noted that Angelito San Juan, the occupant of unit 501B who was also among those hurt in the blast, is a family friend who rented the family’s unit for nine days. Reports had it that San Juan was seen leaving the unit when the blast occurred.

He is currently confined at the Intensive Care Unit of St. Luke’s after suffering second degree burn injuries that affected 85 percent of his body.

Mariane also lashed at Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II for considering San Juan as a “person of interest” in the investigation of the case.

“Mr. Angelito San Juan is a close friend of the family, and is also a victim here. We ask everyone for prayers for his speedy recovery. We also ask the authorities to do their best to arrive at a comprehensive, impartial and fair investigation so that this tragedy will not be repeated in the future,” she said.

Roxas earlier said they’re now getting San Juan’s profile from the Bureau of Immigration, but noted that he is not yet considered as suspect.

“There is no legal move against him,” he said.

Roxas also said earlier that the possibility that an explosive device caused the blast is getting slimmer, saying that bomb sniffing dogs didn’t find bomb residue at the posh condominium.

While investigators haven’t concluded anything, he said investigators are looking at gas leak angle.