MANILA -- Elizabeth Gonzales, wife of Pampanga Representative Aurelio Gonzales Jr., is among the 37 people who reportedly died in the attack at the Resorts World Manila in Pasay City on Friday, June 2.
Elizabeth’s name was included in the list of victims released by the Resorts World management.
House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas also confirmed this, saying he sought the help of Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Ronald dela Rosa to locate Elizabeth's body.
Fariñas also showed to reporters a text message from Dela Rosa confirming the report.
"Sir, positive wife of Rep. of Dong Gonzales of Pampanga is Elizabeth Panlilio-Gonzales -- died in the incident. We are still looking for her sister Consolacion P. Mijares. No report yet," the text message read.
Gonzales' wife was at the Resorts World Manila as a guest when the attack by a supposedly lone gunman transpired.
According to friends close to Gonzales, Elizabeth's wake will be at Heritage Memorial Park in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
No statement was available from Representative Gonzales as of Friday evening.
The management of Resorts World identified 22 hotel guests and 13 of its employees who were killed in the attack perpetrated by a lone gunman before dawn Friday, June 2.
"We are one in mourning with the families of those affected by the tragedy. This is also the very difficult time for all of us here in RWM. We consider our guests, patrons, and our employees as our family," Resorts World Management said in a statement.
Reports said though that a total of 37 people died, including the gunman who remained unidentified. About 54 others were wounded in the stampede.
Bodies were found in comfort rooms, corners and other places where the thick smoke trapped and suffocated the victims.
Two employees and four guests are still being validated as of Friday according to the Resorts World Management. Most of the victims are female who got trapped inside the building.
The nationalities of some foreign victims were not mentioned in the list released by the management.
In a statement, Quezon City Representative Alfred Vargas expressed his deep condolences to the bereaved families of the victims, including the Pampanga lawmaker’s wife.
"My condolences to my colleague Congressman Gonzales for his loss. I join him in prayers for the eternal rest of his wife’s soul," Vargas said.
Vargas appealed to the public to refrain from making “fake” or “alarming” stories about the incident.
Muntinlupa Representative Ruffy Biazon also warned against spreading unverified and dubious sources and information being circulated through social media or the Internet.
"Believe only what is reported in legitimate news organizations and do not relay to others information about the incident that did not come from these official sources of information," Biazon said.
Biazon also advised the public to refrain from making "unnecessary comments particularly those that are speculative, political, or uninformed."
"They only serve to fuel the confusion and fear cause by an incident like this during these times. Let us allow the proper authorities to do their work without the additional burden of having to handle self-inflicted terror by an irresponsible public," he added.
Gabriela lawmakers, Emmi de Jesus and Arlene Brosas, also called for sobriety and vigilance following the incident. (PNA/SunStar Philippines/With reports from Marna Dagumboy-Del Rosario/SunStar Pampanga Correspondent)