QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte visited the wake of some of the victims of the Resorts World Manila tragedy late Saturday night (June 3).
The presidential convoy was spotted in two memorial houses in Pasay City as well as in Taguig City.
The president came to visit the wake of victims after he visited wounded soldiers in Cagayan de Oro City.
Duterte visited the Veronica Memorial Chapel past 11 p.m., where the remains of nine victims lie, including Taiwanese victims Hing Tung Tsung, Lai Wei-Chung, and Lai Yu-Chieh.
“If there is anything that I can do, call me. If you need help, here’s my number,” he said to the families as he gave them his business card.
The Philippine government would be helping the victims’ families to process the necessary papers for the transport of the remains of the foreign nationals who died in the tragic Resorts World incident.
One of those housed by the Victoria Funeral Homes was Carmelita dela Cruz.
The President also dropped by the nearby Rizal Funeral Homes to visit the wake of Eleuterio Reyes, husband of former actress Azenith Briones.
He then went to the Heritage Park in Taguig for the wake of the wife of Pampanga Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales, Jr., Elizabeth Panlilio Gonzales, who was among the victims of the Resorts World fire that was caused by a “mentally disturbed” gunman, former Department of Finance employee, Jessie Carlos.
Earlier, Malacanang offered condolences to the victims immediately after the Resorts World Manila tragedy.
“The Palace wishes to express its deep condolences to the families and friends of the victims of the Resorts World Manila’s latest incident,” Abella said in a statement.
“[The President] has put the campaign against criminality as a centerpiece program of his administration. This is a reminder that civilized society has no place for this kind of violence.”