Facing the families of victim who died in the slipper-manufacturing factory that burned to the ground on May 13 in Valenzuela City, Philippines, the daugher of one of its owner apologizing and pleading with them to have more patience regarding resititution, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported.
Barbara Ang, the eldest daughter of Veato Ang and a company spokesperson in this instance, said she felt morally obligated to apologize to the victims' families because the workers who lost their lives in the fire were under their care when the fire took place.
Ang said in Filipino: "This is not the best time to point fingers on who to blame or who is at fault," and added that this event is the darkest hour that has ever happened to their family.
Ang then approached each of the families and asked for their forgiveness for the loved ones they lost. While some were able to accept her apology, others felt strongly that it was not enough, according to a report from the Philippine Star.
One of the family members who rejected Ang's apology claimed her effort was futile and pointless until justice has been served and families receive their rightful benefits and compensation.
Another felt that Ang's public apology was only for show, while a mother flatly rebuffed it since she felt her son would have been alive today if the building had had proper fire exits.
One mother, however, accepted the apology because she believes the fire was simply an ill-timed accident that nobody wanted to happen. She indicated that rejecting would still not bring her son back.
The Kentax Manufacturing Inc.'s slipper factory went ablaze along with three adjacent buildings last Wednesday, killing 72 people. Among those killed were three of Ang's relatives and closest friends.
During the meeting of the families, Ang and the family's lawyer handed out grocery bags containing kilos of rice, instant noodles and canned goods, as well as an additional Ps. 5,700 to the Ps. 13,000 each family had received, which is the equivalent of 10 days of back pay and primary aid.
