2 building painters fall to death

Two young painters died gruesome deaths Friday after they fell from the seventh floor of a building they were painting in Intramuros, Manila.

The victims were not wearing the required safety harnesses when the freak accident happened.

Western Police District (WPD) Homicide commander Chief Inspector Juanito Taluban identified the victims as Dennis Juliar, 27, single, a native of Bergante, Mambusao, Capiz, of B-7 Yakal Street, Pasay City and Rolencio Tulipas, 22, single, a native of Northern Samar, residing at 365 Parcel Street, Sta. Mesa, Manila.

Police records showed that the victims, with three others, were painting the wall of the seventh floor of the ECJ Building on Real street in Intramuros, Manila.

Probers said a sudden gust of wind rocked the flimsy scaffolding they were using, sending an off-balanced Juliar flailing his arms for something to hold on to. He caught hold of the hapless Tulipas who was also trying to regain his balance and the two plunged to their deaths. – Jerry Botial and Nestor Etolle