Ex-OFW who returned to PHL to finish studies among those killed in Tanay

A former Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) who returned to the Philippines to continue her studies was among the 15 people who were killed in a deadly bus accident in Tanay, Rizal on Monday.

The family of Lovely Seringan, 26, remained in pain and anger following her death. Her brothers, all military men, couldn't help but be moved to tears as they felt that the school required her to take the trip.

"Once na hindi sasama sa field trip, ibabagsak daw nila 'yung mga estudyante.. or else pagagawan ng thesis... imagine first year pa lang pagagawan mo na ng thesis?" said Staff Sgt. Nixon Seringan, Lovely's brother, in a report by Steve Dailisan on "24 Oras" on Tuesday.

Another family voiced out the same sentiment, noting that they did not sign any waiver for the tour.

"'Yung mga anak namin dapat may dalang waiver para doon sa camping na 'yon. pero wala. maaari siguro yung iba, pero kami wala. Sa lahat ng eskwelahan, alisin na 'yung field trip na yan," said Gilbert Cerezo, a father of one of the victims.

But the administration of Bestlink College of the Philippines (BCP) clarified that students who were involved in the accident in were not forced to join the tour.

"We are not forcing the students na 'o pag di kayo sumama, ganyan ganyan mangyayari. We are giving them their own free will to decide," said Zanny Samsona, school activities coordinator of BCP.

"Alam po namin kasi bilang mga magulang, may mga mixed emotions po sila ngayon pero rest assured na kung ano po makakaya ng eskwelahan bibigyan po namin sila ng suporta," he added. —Anna Felicia J. Bajo/JST, GMA News