DFA assisting Pinoy casualties’ kin

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is assisting two siblings of the Filipina who perished along with her two children in the downing by missile fire of a Malaysia Airlines passenger jet last Thursday with their travel documents.

Irene Pabellon Gunawan, 54, was traveling to Kuala Lumpur from Amsterdam with her children Darryl Dwight, 20, and Sherryl Shania, 15, when their plane was shot down allegedly by pro-Russia Ukrainian rebels.

Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose said it was Mrs. Gunawan’s sister in the Netherlands, Lilia, who had requested her two siblings in Quezon province to bring her remains back to the Philippines.

Jose said the DFA is in touch with the family of Gunawan in Pagbilao, Quezon.

Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, carrying 298 people from 10 countries, crashed in a field in eastern Ukraine.

The Philippines, through the DFA, condemned the “brutal act against a civilian airliner in civilian airspace.”

“The Philippines condemns in the strongest manner the recent shooting down of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over Ukraine. We convey our profound condolences for all who perished in this tragedy,” the DFA said in a statement.

“It is of utmost importance that the international community come together to help determine those who are responsible for this brutal act against a civilian airliner in civilian airspace,” the DFA said.

“Those responsible should be made fully accountable for this unconscionable assault on a non-military aircraft that posed no threat whatsoever to any party,” it added.

“States and non-state elements in dispute should exercise restraint, respect international law and search for the peaceful resolution of disputes,” the DFA said.

Ready to assist

Malacañang, for its part, said the government is ready to extend all assistance to the Filipinos who died in the crash.

“Normally, we do extend repatriation assistance to the loved ones of Filipinos who may have perished in other countries,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said over state-run radio dzRB.

Valte also said the government would help if the loved ones or relatives of the Gunawans would wish to go to Malaysia or the Netherlands to bring home the victims’ remains.

She said their application for passports or visas could be facilitated.

But Valte said they had no information yet whether the remains of the three Filipinos had already been recovered from the crash site, which is in rebel-held territory.

There is a consulate general of the Philippines in Kiev, Ukraine and a Philippine embassy in Russia, which may assist in facilitating repatriations, Valte said.

“Rest assured that the Department of Foreign Affairs is coordinating with our embassies abroad to ensure the speedy release of information,” Valte said.

Music lovers

The Pabellon-Gunawans were a family of music lovers, according to friends and relatives.

According to Irene’s niece, Tetchie Pabellon, 34, her late aunt had to stop her college studies so she could support her siblings.

Because of her talent in music – she was a fan of singer Shania Twain – Irene became a vocalist and drummer of the Lipstick band, a rock group that had performed in Japan and other countries.

It was in Indonesia where she met her husband Budjantong, who used to play bass guitar before becoming an executive of Malaysia Airlines.

Budjantong or Buddy had an ancestral home in Amstelveen, Amsterdam, where they got married when they were in their late 30’s. After many years of working hard, they were able to acquire properties, including a condo unit in Manila.

Their son Darryl Dwight was a disc jockey who won awards in different competitions, while Sherryl Shania was a good hip hop dancer.

Tetchie said that whenever Irene was in the Philippines, she would visit all her relatives in Barangay Bukal, Pagbilao, Quezon before going back to the Netherlands.

“She was very strict but a helpful and loving sister,” Tirso said, adding Irene had helped his two daughters finish their college studies.

Irene’s youngest sister Lilia lives a few kilometers from Irene’s house. Tetchie said it was her aunt Lilia who had requested the DFA that Tirso and Erlinda be allowed to retrieve the remains of their sister. – Michelle Zoleta, Aurea Calica