No confirmation yet on retrieval of 7 bodies of Pinoys in New Zealand

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) could not confirm reports yesterday that seven bodies of Filipinos were retrieved from the rubble of the Canterbury Televison (CTV) building in Christchurch, New Zealand.

A relative of one of the Filipinos trapped in the collapsed building said she received information that bodies were retrieved from the building but these were not identified.

DFA spokesman Eduardo Malaya said on Friday that two Filipinos, identified as Rita Estrella and Hayley Concepcion, are safe. They were among the 14 Filipinos previously reported missing, the Philippine Embassy in Wellington said.

The DFA asked the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to check if any of the 12 Filipinos could immediately get assistance.

DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Esteban Conejos said a search and rescue team deployed by New Zealand decided to end the operation.

Conejos said a Japanese search and rescue team arrived in Christchurch to try to extricate them from the rubble.

The embassy sent a two-man team to provide assistance to the Filipino community there and coordinate with authorities.  

New Zealand authorities are cautious in releasing information about those who died in the quake, as they needed to verify the identities of the victims’ remains through DNA testing.

Authorities are now concentrating on the search for those who may still be alive and the remains of those who died. Their remains will be moved to a military camp in Christchurch where identification and processing will start about three weeks from now.

The team is assisting the Filipino community, distributing water purifying tablets and food. They have encouraged the Filipinos to avail themselves of counseling and support being offered by authorities.

The DFA’s Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs is coordinating with the families of the remaining 12 missing Filipinos.

This DFA office also requested the Regional Consular Office in Cebu to coordinate with the families of those from there.

New Zealand authorities have shifted their focus from search and rescue to retrieval or recovery of the victims’ bodies.

However, the Philippine Embassy team requested that the search for the remaining survivors continue in light of text messages earlier sent by those trapped under the rubble to their relatives.

The DFA is now checking the department’s passport database for information and biometrics about the missing persons, and also appraising the families about the incident.

Miners’ team ready for NZ

Meanwhile, the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA), through its Safety Networking Action Program, has readied its search and rescue team for deployment to New Zealand to save Filipinos still trapped in affected areas, especially those in the CTV building in Christchurch.

PMSEA president Louie Sarmiento said his group is coordinating with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and communicating with New Zealand Ambassador Andrew Matheson.

“We appeal and hope that our team would be allowed to be sent to New Zealand right away,” Sarmiento said.

Considered experts in calamity and disaster rescue, the miners have saved many lives, including that of Sonia Roco, wife of the late Senator Raul Roco, during the 1990 killer earthquake in Baguio City, and four people trapped in the collapsed Repador building in Real, Quezon in 2004 after a series of typhoons and landslides hit the province.

The miners were also involved in rescue and recovery operations in Leyte landslides in December 2003 and February 2006.

Since earthquakes were felt in different parts of the country in the past days, the PMSEA issued public advisory tips on what to do when temblors strike.

These are: 1) When indoors, position yourself at a safe location, including under a strong desk or table or along an interior wall and avoid areas near windows, mirrors and hanging objects; 2) When outdoors, go to an open area away from possible falling objects. Stay away from buildings, power lines and trees; 3) Remember not to panic and check for injuries and damage after the earthquake.

The PMSEA is an organization of mining companies, quarries, cement plants, suppliers, service contractors, professional organizations and government agencies that promote occupational safety, improved health standards, and environmental protection in mining-related operations.