Three workers were found dead inside Dusit Thani Residence Davao in Lanang, Davao City, with the Bureau of Fire Protection reporting elevated carbon monoxide levels in the room where the bodies were discovered.
During a Davao Peace and Security Press Corps briefing, Fire Senior Inspector Frances Marie Sendrijas of the BFP Davao City said carbon monoxide levels in the room reached about 50 parts per million.
Sendrijas said the level could cause suffocation, particularly with prolonged exposure. Because of the possible hazard to responders, personnel ventilated the room before retrieving the bodies.
The victims were identified as Engineer Reuben James Ramos, Rexter Banal and Lance Molijon.
The families of the three workers are seeking clarification on what caused their deaths.
Rose Marie Felicitas, Banal’s partner, said the family was initially led to believe that the three may have been electrocuted. However, questions arose after they saw Banal’s body at the funeral home.
Felicitas said Banal was not wearing a shirt, while his face appeared swollen and blood was coming from his ear. She also said the family noticed a bruise on his forehead.
“Gusto jud namo mahibal-an unsa jud ang nahitabo,” Felicitas said in an interview with 91.5 Brigada News FM Davao.
The family also questioned why Banal was not wearing clothes while his companions were reportedly found wearing clothes.
An autopsy will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death of the three workers.
In a statement, Dusit Thani management did not specify the cause of the deaths but said it would cooperate with authorities in the investigation.
Authorities are expected to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths through the ongoing investigation and autopsy results.
