PAGBILAO, Quezon, Philippines – Shortly before Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 took off from Amsterdam’s Schiphol International Airport, Irene Pabellon Gunawan texted her sister-in-law in this province, urging relatives to be careful of toppled trees as Typhoon Glenda had just hit Luzon.
The 54-year-old housewife planned to attend a family reunion on July 27 in her home province with her Indonesian husband Budjanto, an employee of Malaysia Airlines, and their two children Daryll Dwight, 21, and Sheryll Shania, 14.
Yesterday, Gunawan’s relatives grappled with the news that MH17 had been shot down over Ukraine, with all 298 on board dead.
The Department of Foreign Affairs initially withheld the identities of the three Filipino fatalities until their relatives had been informed. The two children were born in the Netherlands but held Philippine passports, the DFA said.
Gunawan’s sister-in-law Malen Pabellon, 56, said they had asked the DFA for help in bringing the remains of the victims to Quezon.
A weeping Pabellon said she received a text from Gunawan at 11:57 a.m. Thursday, joking that they should be careful of falling trees during the typhoon. The message appeared to be reassuring Gunawan’s relatives in Kalye Heaven, Barangay Bukal, Pagbilao that they would get money upon her arrival in Manila.
Gunawan promised to text again while in transit at the international airport in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Budjanto had planned to board a flight from Kuala Lumpur to follow his family to the Philippines, Pabellon said.
Gunawan texted Pabellon: “Oks sis. Tnks sa information. Don’t worry meron naman sa MIA atm so oks lang... easy ka lang.. calm sis hehehhehe. Lov u, magout na ako.. time to take off. Ingat lang kayo. Baka matumbahan ng mga puno. Tx u pag nasa KL na kami. Bye.”
Pabellan told The STAR that Daryll Dwight is a student of medicine at VU University Amsterdam while Sheryll Shania is a high school student.
The fourth among six siblings, Gunawan was a helpful and loving sister to Erlinda, Tirso and Lilia, Pabellon said. Their other siblings Fe and Fidel have died.
The Malaysia Airlines head office in Kuala Lumpur identified the Filipino fatalities after informing the victims’ family.
Malaysia Airlines confirmed the fate of flight MH17, which was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur.
The plane departed Amsterdam at 12:15 p.m. local time. It was scheduled to arrive in Kuala Lumpur at 6:10 a.m. (Malaysian time).
DFA spokesman Charles Jose said the Philippine embassies in Kuala Lumpur and The Hague were coordinating with authorities and Malaysia Airlines on securing more information and are prepared to extend all necessary assistance to the family of the victims.
The embassy will help in facilitating the visit of the victim’s family to where the remains would be taken and in the repatriation to the Philippines.
The DFA has not received information about the crash site and status of investigation.
“We do not know yet what actually happened, who is responsible, if it indeed was shot down by missiles. Investigation is still ongoing. Pending that we reserve our comment,” Jose added.
Palace expresses sympathy
Malacañang joined the global community in expressing its sympathies to the families of the victims as well as calls for an investigation.
“The government is one with the international community in calling for the thorough and swift inquiry on this incident,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma said.
“We offer our sincerest condolences to the families of all the victims, recognizing full well the enormity of their loss,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said. “At this difficult time, we stand with them in solidarity as one people and one country.”
Phl carriers don’t fly over Ukraine
Philippine aviation authorities and local airlines said no aircraft from the Philippines flies over Ukrainian airspace.
Civil Aeronautics Board executive director Carmelo Arcilla said flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL), which flies to London, does not use the route where the Malaysia Airlines jet was shot down.
Arcilla said PAL uses the trans-Asian route that passes through Turkey.
PAL assured passengers, particularly those taking its direct Manila to London flights, that it continues to strictly follow regulations on flight paths.
“We wish to convey our heartfelt sympathies to the families of the victims of this tragic incident and join the rest of the world in praying for those who were lost, as well as their loved ones,” PAL said in a statement. – With Aurea Calica, Lawrence Agcaoili, Rudy Santos, Edith Regalado, Mayen Jaymalin