MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Embassy in the United States is determining if there are Filipino victims in the Navy Yard shooting in Washington D.C. on Monday night.
The Embassy said so far, there are no reports of Filipino casualties but they are contacting the United States Navy, local hospitals and the police to check for possible Filipino victims in the shooting rampage inside the headquarters of the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA).
“We want to be sure that all our kababayans are out of harm’s way,†Philippine Ambassador Jose Cuisia Jr. said in a news release, referring to an unknown number of Filipinos working in the base as naval officers and enlisted personnel, civilian employees and private contractors.
The Embassy said several Filipinos working in the Navy Yard have been instructed to "shelter in place" while others were also told to work from home.
Ambassador Cuisia monitoring situation and has issued instructions to check situation of Filipinos working in Washington Navy Yard.
— Philippine Embassy (@philippinesusa) September 16, 2013
#Philippines Embassy checking reports that there are several Filipinos working in Naval Sea Systems Command HQ where shooting took place.
— Philippine Embassy (@philippinesusa) September 16, 2013
According to the Embassy, the shooting occurred around 8:20 a.m. (Washington time) when a gunman opened fire inside the NAVSEA Headquarters at Building 197 where most of the 3,000 military and civilian personnel in the facility are working.
Some 75,000 members of the Filipino Community in the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. area were immediately advised to avoid the Navy Yard area due to the ongoing police operations, the Embassy said.
The Embassy also worked with the National Federation of Filipino-American Associations and the Migrant Heritage Commission in contacting Filipinos working inside the NAVSEA.
Several Filipinos were trapped in nearby buildings but they have been all accounted for, according to Cuisia.
At least 13 people, including the alleged shooter, were killed in the incident.
The Philippine Embassy extended its condolences to the families of the victims.
“The Philippine Government and the Filipino people join the rest of the world in mourning with all those who lost their loved ones in the tragedy at the Washington Navy Yard this morning,†said Cuisia.
Read: Police: 13 dead in shootings at US Navy complex