Pardo Captain passes away; partner dies 2 hours later

CEBU, Philippines —  Barangay Pardo, Cebu City Captain Manolita “Litang” Abarquez passed away yesterday morning due to pneumonia, hypertension and septic shock. She was 63.

Her partner, Laurencia “Neneng” Pauya, also died two hours after. She had diabetes.

They died before their coronavirus swab test results came out.

Manolita’s death was confirmed by her daughter, Apple Abarquez, who belied reports that the official died of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

“Let me make this clear. It is true that my Amam, Kap Litang Abarquez, has passed away earlier this morning (Sunday). But this is not confirmed yet as death because of COVID,” she said.

Apple said she and her mother both tested negative for COVID-19 during the antibody rapid testing.

Apple’s partner, Jivey Francis Cortes, said Manolita died due to  stage 2 hypertension, community-acquired pneumonia high risk, and septic shock, a fatal reaction where blood pressure becomes dangerously low due to stress from systemic infection, as stated in her death certificate.

Cortes also confirmed to The FREEMAN the death of Pauya.

Cortes said Manolita and Pauya were also swabbed for conoravirus, but the results of the testing are yet to be released.

Just like Manolita, Cortes said, Pauya tested negative in the rapid test.

Manolita was admitted to a hospital in Lapu-Lapu City last Friday and Pauya on Saturday.

While waiting for the swab test results, the bereaved family is asking the public to refrain from spreading false information about the death as not to cause panic.

"Ang ako lang kay negative or not ang result, let us all not forget how to be human, people need inspirations and positivity now a days. So  instead of dwelling on the dark let us keep moving forward to be better as one. Capt. Litang and Mama Neneng's memories are forever cherished not even death can erased it. We are better, we will be better,"said Cortes.

Apple, in her Facebook post, remembered Litang as a “great human being.”

“My amam Litang was a great human being and I am proud to be called her daughter. I cannot begin to describe the pain, but I would like to focus instead on the happy days,” her post read.

She was behind the famous Litang’s Barbeque and Lechon Manok in Pardo.   KQD (FREEMAN)