The barracks inside Subic Bay Freeport where the deadworker was found. Photo by Johnny R. Reblando
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — A maintenance staff man who worked at the Subic Bay Freeport Grain Terminal was found dead beside his bed at the company barracks on Friday.
A report from the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Intelligence and Investigation Office identified the victim as Jimmy Gonzaga y Ocaña Jr., 40, resident of Marikina City.
The report added that Ocaña was staying in the barracks, as he was caught in the enhanced community quarantine and could not go back to his hometown. The SBMA has required companies authorized to operate under the ECQ to provide accommodations inside the Freeport for their workers.
The SBMA Public Health and Safety Department has ruled out that Ocaña’s death was Covid-19 related since he did not show any earlier symptoms like fever or cough, and had no history of travel or exposure.
Ocaña had reportedly consulted a doctor about some pain in his leg, and was prescribed some pain killer before being sent back to the barracks.
Co-workers said he again complained about leg pain while having dinner Thursday night and later asked for help in going up the short flight of stairs to their barracks.
They added that when they woke up the next day, they saw Ocaña lying face down beside his bed. When they tried to wake him up, the victim was no longer responding.
Personnel from the SBMA PHSD also arrived and checked on the victim, but the attending physician declared that Ocaña was already dead.
The Philippine National Police in Morong, Bataan, said there was no apparent foul play in the death of the victim.
