New Zealand extends sympathy for Pinoy quake victims

MANILA, Philippines - New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully yesterday expressed sympathy for the casualties suffered by the Philippines in the earthquake that struck Christchurch last week. '

No survivors were rescued from beneath the remains of the collapsed Canterbury Television building. Eleven Filipinos perished in the quake.                                                         

McCully conveyed his condolences through a scheduled phone call to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Manila yesterday afternoon.                                                                            

New Zealand authorities are now identifying the remains of the victims but are withholding their names pending confirmation through DNA testing.

The DFA has asked the National Bureau of Investigation to obtain the fingerprints of the 11 Filipinos to help in the identification of their remains. The relatives of the missing Filipinos were also requested to secure their dental records and other medical files. – With Freeman