Third Pinoy reported killed in Missouri tornado

MANILA, Philippines -  A third Filipino was killed in the tornado that struck Joplin town in Missouri on May 22, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed yesterday.

The Philippine consulate general in Chicago reported to the DFA that Thomas Sarino died in the tornado that hit Missouri.

DFA spokesman Eduardo Malaya said the DFA Office of Migrant Workers Affairs was in the process of notifying the family of Sarino.

“No other details are available at this time,” Malaya said.

Last Friday, the DFA confirmed that a second Filipino was killed in the tornado – Esterlita Manansala-Moore who was carried away from her apartment when the tornado struck.

The consulate is coordinating with the Missouri Office of the Governor for the release of the remains of Manansala, and another Filipina casualty, Grace Aquino, to their families.

According to the DFA, there are about 10,396 Filipinos in Missouri, most of them in St. Louis, St. Charles, Fort Leonard Wood, and Blue Springs.

Meantime, Filipinos who have relatives in Missouri may contact the Missouri SEMA at telephone (573) 526-9100 and fax (573) 634-7966, the Office of the Missouri Governor at telephone (573) 751-3222 or the American Red Cross at telephone (1-800) 733-2767 or at its website  www.redcross.org.