Guimarasnon killed in Beirut blast returns home

The remains of the Guimarasnon overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who died in the explosion in Beirut, Lebanon arrived home Tuesday, Aug 18, 2020.

Members of the family, representatives from the Provincial Government of Guimaras, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) received the body of Milagros Sumaculob at the Iloilo Airport.

Sumaculob was flown from Beirut via Qatar Airways on August 17, 2020 and was transported by the Philippine Air Force to Iloilo.

Sumaculob, 67, a resident of New Poblacion in Buenavista died at the American University Hospital where she was brought after the blast that tore the port area in the capital city Beirut, killing at least 137 people.

Patrick Ceasar Sumaculob was relieved that the body of his mother was repatriated swiftly despite travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said that he knows his mother is happy now that she will be laid to rest at the place where she was born and grew up.

“Nagapasalamat gid ako kay nakapuli si Mama sang bilog kag makita sang mga himata namon. Bal-an namon si Mama malipay gid ni siya kay bisan paano nakapuli siya sa lugar nga iya gindaku–an,” Patrick Ceasar said.

The Sumaculob family thanked the agencies and the Provincial Government of Guimaras that facilitated the repatriation of the remains.

“Dako gid nga salamat sa ila nga tanan kay kun indi tungod sa ila wala makapuli si Mama. Nagapasalamat gid ako sa ila kay dako-dako gid ang ginbulig nila. Sila gin-gamit sang Ginoo nga instrumento para makapuli si Mama,” he added.

With the assistance of the office of Senator Bong Go, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), OWWA and the OCD worked hand-in-hand with the provincial government for the swift repatriation of the remains of Mrs. Sumaculob from Lebanon.

While grieving the loss of a fellow Guimarasnon, Governor Samuel T. Gumarin is pleased that the family was given a chance to pay their last respect to the deceased OFW.

“Ang Provincial Government upod sa opisina ni Congresswoman Ma. Lucille L. Nava kag Vice Governor Atty. John Edward Gando naga-upod gid sa pagpangasubo sang pamilya Sumaculob. Nagapasalamat kami nga nakaabot diri siya although bangkay na lang siya pero makita pa siya sang iya kabataan, kaapohan kag iya mga relatives diri sa probinsiya sang Guimaras, banwa sang Buenavista,” Gumarin said.

Gumarin is grateful for the assistance extended by the different agencies to the Sumaculob family and to the provincial government for the transport of Milagros’ body.

“Nagapasalamat kita sa mga nagbululig sa aton. Una amo ang pagpatigayon sang aton director sa OCD, si Director Nuñez, subong man ang close coordination sa probinsiya sang Guimaras sang director sang OWWA, sang DFA kag sang pagpatigayon man ni Senator Bong Go. Nagapasalamat kita sa Philippine Air Force nga nagpatigayon nga makapauli gid diri ang bangkay ni Nang Milagros,” he added.

The governor assured the bereaved family of the support of the Provincial Government until the Guimarasnon OFW will be laid to rest.

Sumaculob went to Lebanon last June 2018 and was supposed to come home for good this December. (Guimaras PIO)