'Traumatized' Serendra unit owner says they're victims too

MANILA, Philippines - The owner of the Two Serendra unit that exploded last week arrived from the United States on Friday to help in the investigation on the incident.

 

Marianne Cayton-Castillo, owner of Unit 501-B, said her family is  traumatized by the incident, which killed three people and injured four others including their tenant and family friend, Angelito San Juan.

 

"I cannot eat, I cannot talk for two days. I was really traumatized. Kasi iniisip ko maraming namatay. Hindi po namin ginusto na maraming nasaktan," a tearful Castillo said in a televised ambush interview.

 

"Biktima din po kami. Traumatized ang buong pamilya," she added.

 

Castillo visited the seriously injured San Juan, who is still at the intensive care unit of the St. Luke's Medical Center in Taguig City. She also extended her condolences to the families of the casualties.

 

The condo unit owner said she arrived back in Manila to help in the government's investigation on the incident, which was probably caused by liquified petroleum gas, according to the initial probe findings. Related story: Roxas: LPG 'most likely' caused Two Serendra blast

 

Lawyer Raymond Fortun, Castillo's legal counsel, said they will be submitting pertinent documents to the government to dispel theories that renovations conducted in Castillo's unit are related to the explosion.  

 

"We're confident that when we submit the documents, it will become very clear that there should be no reason for the government to accuse Marian Cayton of any involvement or being the reason for the explosion," Fortun said.

 

He said they will be filing the sworn statement of Castillo and necessary documents such as renovation plans and photographs during the construction.

 

Castillo said these documents were approved by Serendra.

 

The explosion at Castillo's on May 31 tore off a large concrete slab from the condominium, which landed on a closed delivery van, killing its driver and two passengers.