11 Filipino Still Missing in New Zealand Quake: DFA

Christchurch
Christchurch Earthquake

Eleven Filipinos reported missing until now in the aftermath of a 6.3-magnitude earthquake that hit Christ Church, New Zealand last week, said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA),Sunday.

Approximately 146 people died in the earthquake.

According to DFA a certain Elisa Torres, remained missing and was believed to be a Filipino, was found out to be of another nationality.

Some Filipinos who are missing are John Christopher Chua, Mary Louise Anne Amantillo, Lalaine Agatep, Ivy Jane Cabunillas, , Rhea Mae Sumalpong, Jesse Lloyd Redoble, Erica Nora, Ezea Mae Medalle, Jewel Francisco, Valquin Bensurto and Emmabel Anova

The Department of Foreign Affairs  Office of the ‘Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs’ (DFA-OUMWA) and the ‘Regional Consular Office’ (RCO) in Cebu, Charge d’Affaires (CDA) in Wellington Giovanni Palec has conducted a telephone conferences Saturday with the Cebu-based families of the five missing Filipinos believed trapped CTV building.

The families were informed by Palec, regarding on the latest updates  from the New Zealand police, officials and the initiatives undertaken by his team.

Since last Wednesday, no person has been rescued alive.

The parents of the 2 Filipinos who are still missing arrived Saturday in Christchurch.

Authorities of New Zealand are refusing to identify those who died until they have found the bodies and verified their identity by DNA testing.

In spite of the repeated request by the people of New Zealand and other families who are searching for results regarding the status of their loved ones who are still missing, police have also yet to release a consolidated list of missing persons with their nationalities,

The recovered remains are transferred to a military camp in Christchurch, it will take about three weeks of processing for the identification.

The DFA said in a press statement that the relatives of the 11 missing Filipinos are arranged to go to New Zealand for them to help in the identification of the fatalities.

On February 23 the Philippine emb(–foul word(s) removed–)y team arrived in Christchurch to help the authorities and as look after the welfare of the 2,000-strong Filipinos in Christchurch.

Philippine officials asked rescue officials to continue on with the search, given the text messages that were sent by missing Filipinos immediately after the quake.

 

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