CDO blast death toll climbs to 8

Louis Bacani(The Philippine Star)

July 29, 2013 - 9:33am

Bodies of victims lay on the floor as police examine the scene of an explosion with the use of an improvised explosive devise (IED) at one of the restaurants at the Lim Ket Kai arcade in Cagayan de Oro City in southern Philippines Friday July 26, 2013. Six fatalities were initially identified, including a provincial board member in the explosion that was filled with doctors and pharmacists attending a convention, police said Saturday July 27, 2013. AP/Froilan Gallardo

MANILA, Philippines - The death toll from the blast that rocked a popular bistro in Cagayan de Oro City last Friday has climbed to eight, an official of the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) said Monday.

In his Twitter account, Dr. Tony Leachon, PCP vice president and University of the Philippines Manila director for information, identified the latest fatality as Dr. Marciano Agustin, 47.

He earlier identified the seventh fatality as Reynaldo Dalupan, 57, an executive of United Laboratories.

Leachon said both victims were previously in comatose. Agustin passed away at 6:15 a.m. while Dalupan succumbed to death at 9:25 p.m. on Sunday.

The PCP official said Dalupan's body will be flown to Manila today and his wake will be held at the Christ the King Parish Church, Veterans Village, Quezon City.

CDO blast updates : Reynaldo Dalupan 57 years old and Dr. Marciano Agustin 47 years old. Families and friends arranging transfer to Manila.
â€” Tony Leachon MD (@LeachonTony) July 28, 2013

On Friday night, an explosive went off at a bar at the Limketkai shopping complex in Cagayan de Oro City, initially killing at least six people.

The initial fatalities were identified as lawyer Antonio Paredes, doctor Erwin Malanay, and pharmaceutical representatives Manny Falafox, Anthony CaÃ±ete, and Ryan Saso Estose.

At least 48 others were wounded in the incident.

Many of the wounded were representatives of pharmaceutical companies who were attending the mid-year convention of the Philippine College of Chest Physicians (PCCP).

The government placed troops and police on heightened alert, but authorities have yet to identify the motive and principal target of the blast.

Deputy presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte said authorities have been ordered to bring to justice whoever was behind this "act of senseless violence."

"The president ordered a clear investigation, that the right process is followed, to determine who was behind this explosion," she said over state-run radio dzRB on Sunday.

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