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68-anyos na Pinoy patay sa California 'mass shooting'; 10 iba pa nasawi

January 24, 2023 | 12:15pm

68-anyos na Pinoy patay sa California 'mass shooting'; 10 iba pa nasawi

People place flowers at a makeshift memorial outside the scene of a deadly mass shooting at a ballroom dance studio on January 23, 2023 in Monterey Park, California. An eleventh person has died and ten more were injured at the studio near a Lunar New Year celebration on Saturday night. A candlelight vigil for the victims will be held in the predominantly Asian American community of Monterey Park tonight.

Mario Tama/Getty Images/AFP MARIO TAMA / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

MANILA, Philippines — Isang Filipino-American senior citizen ang nadamay sa insidente ng pamamaril sa isang ballroom dance studio sa California, USA habang nagdiriwang ng Lunar New Year, Linggo (oras sa Maynila) — bagay na siyang ikinasawi ng 11 katao.

Kinilala ang Pinoy casualty bilang si Valentino Alvero, 68-anyos, na isang United States citizen.

Isa si Alvero sa mga biktima ng 72-anyos na si Huu Can Tran, isa ring Asian immigrant, na nagpaulan ng bala sa Monterey Park. Puros nasa 50s, 60s at 70s ang nasawi.

"Our prayers go out to the families of the victims and we mourn with them during this Lunar New Year festival, which is supposed to be a time of gathering and celebration," wika ng Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles, Martes.

"After closely monitoring the incident and sustained coordination with law enforcement, Filipino-American organizations and media, the Consulate General received tragic news that one kababayan, Mr. Valentino Alvero, 68 years of age, a United States citizen of Filipino descent, was among the casualties of the shooting."

Humihingi naman ng privacy ang pamilya ng biktima sa ngayon, bagay na naiintindihan naman daw ng Consulate General. Kasabay nito, handa naman ang Philippine authorities na magpaabot ng anumang tulong oras na hingin nila ito.

Isa ngayon sa mga tinitignang motibo ng US police ang selos o alitahan kaugnay ng naturang insidente.

Hiwalay pa ang naturang insidente sa mga pamamaril na nangyari sa Half Moon Bay sa northern California kamakailan, na siyang ikinasawi naman ng pito. Iniimbestigahan na rin ito.

"The Consulate General calls on the community to exercise all caution and continue being vigilant during these uncertain times," dagdag pa ng Philippine Consulate General.

"Always monitor your loved ones' nand family members' whereabouts. Immediately report any suspiscious activities to local law enforcement and watch out for each other. Let's stay safe." — may mga ulat mula kay Kaycee Valmonte