Conjoined twins die in Isabela

Conjoined twins Precious and Miracle Laverinto were born healthy on March 17 in Santiago City. Scheduled for surgical separation in Taiwan soon, they, however, died on July 12, 2017, after contracting fever. (FILE PHOTO BY VILLAMOR VISAYA JR. / INQUIRER NORTHERN LUZON)

SAN AGUSTIN, Isabela — Conjoined twins Princess Miracle and Precious Miracle Laverinto passed away on Tuesday night (July 11) in the remote Salay village here, almost four months after they were born, their parents reported on Wednesday.

The twins were scheduled for surgical separation in Taipei, Taiwan, in September with the help of the Tzu Chi Foundation.

The babies were born to Rochelle and Redento Laverinto on March 17 at the Southern Isabela General Hospital in Santiago City. They shared an abdomen but with separate hearts. Donors surfaced when the parents sought help to separate the babies.

Rochelle said the babies had fever, but she had to leave them briefly to wash clothes while her husband went to work. When she returned, the babies were dead.

Due to their special condition, the funeral parlor crafted a square coffin to accommodate the twins, said funeral parlor owner and town councilor Eddie Mayor, who donated the coffin.

The babies will be buried on July 15.  SFM