Death toll in Davao blast up to 15 as pregnant woman in coma dies

DAVAO CITY, Philippines—The death toll in the September 2 night market blast here has risen to 15 with the death of a 21-year-old expectant mother 11 days after she lapsed into a coma.

Vicenta Depalubos Asperin, who was six months pregnant, passed away at the Metro Davao Medical and Research Center (MDMRC) at 10:17 p.m. on Monday.

Quoting a medical report, the City Social Services and Development Office said Asperin died from heart failure and brain damage.

Her unborn baby also died but authorities said both mother and the unborn child should be counted as one.

“Based on the notes from the Local Civil Registrar, the counting should be one because the unborn baby remained inside the mother’s womb,” CSSDO Chief Ma. Luisa Bermudo said. “They were not separated.”

A massage therapist, Asperin was among the severely injured victims in the September 2 blast. A splinter entered her nose and went straight to her brain.

Her brother, Gregorio Depalubos, said Asperin was declared “brain dead” by her attending physician a few minutes before her last breath. “The doctors declared her ‘brain dead’ and she expired just after a few minutes,” Depalubos said.

Depalubos said his sister did not have any clue that a bomb had exploded before she was brought to the hospital and lapsed into a coma.

“Before she was brought to the hospital, she even asked what has happened to her,” he said. “She fell into a coma after.”

Asperin’s family is now asking for justice.

“We want justice,” Depalubos said. “I hope the people responsible are arrested and should be made to pay for what they have done. My sister didn’t do them any wrong and she was pregnant,” he said.

Asperin’s husband, John Lord, was in Nabunturan, Compostela Valley Province when the blast happened.

The two got married in March and were expecting their first baby girl in December. RAM/rga

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