“We are asking Melycia, or anyone else that has collected donations, to coordinate through Marites Castillo so that the donations can be delivered directly to the funeral home for the repatriation of our beloved Camilo,” said Michael Stroh, the son-in-law of Laoeng, who is residing in the U.S.
Stroh was referring to Melycia Marquez, Laoeng’s girlfriend who has been collecting donations.
Stroh said he authorized Castillo to accept donations.
“We greatly appreciate the tremendous generosity of the people [of Saipan]. We could not overcome such a tremendous obstacle without their help and we are forever in their debt,” Stroh said in his email to Variety.
Stroh said Castillo has advised him that enough money has been collected to allow the funeral home to begin making arrangements.
However, he said he was informed that one of the parties collecting money, Melycia Marquez, refused to turn over the monies she collected either to Castillo or to the funeral home.
Marquez declined to comment.
Stroh said the funeral home will not complete the arrangements for the repatriation of their father until it is paid in full.
He said he tried several times contacting Marquez and the funeral home but failed.
Stroh is hoping that any differences will be resolved soon so they can bring Laoeng’s remains to the Philippines for burial.
Laoeng, 60, had a fatal heart attack on Oct. 9 while installing a tombstone marker at the Chalan Kanoa cemetery.
