Siegfried Arcilla, Glendon Benedicto: Electrocuted, Died on Espana, Manila

Siegfried Nathan Arcilla, a 22-year-old medical student of University of Santo Tomas (UST) and Glendon Benedicto, also 22 years of age, and an employee of Sheraton Hotel, died after being electrocuted by a dangling live wire on Espana Street in Manila.

Cedric Fabie, an 18-year-old student from Far Eastern University, was also electrocuted, but survived the accident. He was brought to the UST Hospital and was reported to be in critical condition. Later reports said his condition has stabilized.

The three cases all happened on Friday, September 19 while the country was being ravaged by Tropical Storm Mario. At that time, many streets in Metro Manila, including Espana, were flooded due to heavy rains brought by Mario (international name: Fung-Wong).

According to news reports, the first victim was Fabie, who passed by Gate 1 of UST at around 2:00 PM, and stepped on a live wire.

It was around 5:00 PM when Arcilla, a UST Red Cross Youth Volunteer, passed by the same place and also suffered electrocution. He was pronounced “dead on arrival” at the UST Hospital.

Benedicto, a resident of Alindada St., Sampaloc, Manila, was on his way home at around 7:30 PM. He was at Maceda Street corner Espana when he suddenly convulsed, apparently, due to electric shock.

The MMDA rescue team immediately gave first aid and brought Benedicto to the United Doctors Medical Center (UDMC) on Welcome Rotonda, but passed away at 9:30 PM.

Manila Police District Station 4 chief Superintendent Maran Caracas Muarip appeals to everyone to avoid all electric posts in flooded areas because of the possibility that there are live wires on the posts. Meanwhile, the UST Red Cross Youth Council, through its Twitter account, urged residents near P. Noval, España to avoid holding any post for their safety, in light of the tragedy.

In an interview with Meralco spokesman Joe Zaldarriaga, he said electricity in the Espana area was supposed to be already deenergized (cut off) because of the floods, and that they will have to investigate on what could have happened.

We express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims, as we pray for the souls of Sigfried and Glendon. We also pray for the speedy recovery of Cedric.