'Victim No. 6' in deadly Skyway crash still unidentified

MANILA, Philippines - Only one of the 18 people killed in the deadly fall of a Don Mariano Transit bus from Skyway remained unidentified as of Thursday noon.

Lenie Domingo, secretary at the Veronica Funeral Homes said the unclaimed victim, a woman, is only identified as "Victim No. 6."

Late Wednesday afternoon, a female victim was identified as Emmanuel Layon and taken from the Veronica Funeral Parlor by his relatives.

Domingo said that if "victim no. 6" remains unidentified and unclaimed by her relatives after two months, the funeral parlor will bury her at the Pasay City Public Cemetery where her relatives could later retrieve her.

"Victim No. 6" was described by Domingo as having a medium build, shoulder-length wavy hair, wearing a pair of denim pants, a woven belt, pink bra and a dark color blouse.

Earlier identified at the Veronica Funeral Homes were victims Arnold Jimenos, Roberto Bautista, Alvin Balurin, Ricardo Gonzales Jr., Reycel Constantino, William Toledo, and Mar Edriane.

At the Funeraria Amigo in Bicutan, Taguig City, eight bodies from the bus crash were also identified and claimed by their respective families.

Identified and claimed at the Funeraria Amigo were Mary Ann Superio, Joey Esponilla, Jean Angelique Cadiz, Rodel Tolentino, Roger Orquejo, Richard Gaveria, Archie Dino and Ramon Labang, conductor of the ill-fated bus that fell off the Skyway and landed on a closed-van.

According to Highway Patrol Group (HPG) investigator, Police Officer 2 Gerry Formales, another dead victim, bus passenger Rolly Bores, was earlier claimed by his relatives from the Paranaque Medical Center where he was taken after the accident.

Relatives of six of the victims have also filed separate civil liability cases against Don Mariano Transit. Formales said four cases were filed by relatives Cadiz, Dino, Gaveria and Superio while two others were filed by injured bus passengers.

The HPG on Tuesday filed before the Paranaque City Prosecutor's Office charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, multiple serious physical injuries and damage to property against bus driver Carmelo Calatcat who is still being treated at a Paranaque hospital.