Remains of Pinoy nurses in New Zealand quake arrive in Phl

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported yesterday that the remains of three Filipino nurses who perished in the 6.3-magnitude earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand last Feb. 22 have arrived in Manila.

The DFA said the remains of Jewel Francisco and Erica Nora arrived in Manila on Friday while the body of Ivy Jane Cabunillas arrived on Sunday. 

A group from the DFA Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) met the families of the Filipino nurses at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

A team from the DFA’s regional consular office in Cebu also offered assistance to the Cebu-based families of the two victims.

The DFA and a team from the Philippine embassy in Wellington are assisting the families of the Filipinos whose remains were already confirmed and those whose bodies have not yet been recovered.

Arrangements were made to have the relatives of the Filipinos go to New Zealand to help in the identification of some of the fatalities. 

The DFA office coordinated with the New Zealand embassy in Manila for the visas, expediting the release of their passports and other requirements for the relatives’ trip.

New Zealand police have identified the remains of Mary Louise Anne Amantillo, John Kristoffer Chua, Emmabelle Anoba, Valquin Bensurto and Lalaine Agatep. 

The team from the Philippine embassy in Wellington that was dispatched to Christchurch is facilitating the early repatriation of their remains to the Philippines.

The Filipinos that are still missing are Jessie Lloyd Redoble, Ezra Mae Medalle and Rhea Mae Sumalpong.