THE Ozamiz City-based relatives of the three suspects shot down in last Monday’s foiled robbery attempt in Robinsons Place mall in Fuente Osmeña, Cebu City, arrived to claim the remains.
Since all of them barely managed to make the trip to Cebu City to claim the remains, the Cebu City police said they will extend financial aid to them.
“Our sympathy goes to the relatives,” said Senior Supt. Melvin Buenafe, Cebu City police chief.
The relatives first went to St. Bernard Funeral parlor to claim the body of 24-year-old Mario Dapitan. His mother Concordia identified her son.
Gina Adelan, wife of 38-year-old Antonio Adelan, went to Surelife Care in Natalio Bacalso Avenue to claim the remains, while Erlinda Magsanay identified her 35-year-old son as Nelson Magsanay whose name was earlier reported as Melencio Quiapo.
Fernando Bertulfo, sales coordinator of the Rolling Hills Funeral Homes, said they gave a discount on the coffin to the Magsanay family after knowing that they were poor.
Magsanay, a resident of barangay Cogon, Ozamiz City, is the third of nine children and finished second grade.
Erlinda said Nelson told her two months ago that he will look for a job but never mentioned where he would land one. Concordia said Dapitan, a resident of barangay Bongbong also in Ozamiz City, worked as a passenger jeepney driver in Mandaue City.
She said Dapitan, the fourth of five siblings who finished second year high school, would send her some money from time to time.
“As far as a I know he drove a multicab, I don’t know how he got involved in the robbery,” a teary-eyed Concordia said.
Gina told reporters that her husband cut trees for a living.
She said Adelan told her that he would be away for two days and she gave him P500 for gasoline to fuel the chainsaw he carries with him.
“His work was fine, why was he caught up (in the robbery),” Gina told reporters. Gina and Concordia claimed they knew of the fate of their loved ones on TV.
Erlinda said she first heard about her son’s death from a neighbor. They said they won’t file a complaint against the police.
They said their neighbor Amalia Benevente served as their guide in Cebu City.
All three denied knowing suspect Junjun Cabando or Dionisio Cabatingan, the alleged leader of the robbery group.
Earlier, Ozamiz City Mayor Nova Parohinog-Echavez said Cabando is a native of barangay San Roque in their area.
Buenafe said he heard from sources that Cabando arrived in Ozamiz City.