Lone Filipino in deadly Indonesia quake-tsunami area safe, DFA says

MANILA, Philippines —The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that no Filipinos were hurt in the magnitude 7.4 earthquake and tsunami that hit central Sulawesi last Friday.

Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Leehiong Wee said there was only one Filipino in the area where the earthquake and tsunami struck, the provincial capital of Palu and the neighboring city of Donggala. He said the Filipino detainee serving his sentence at the Lapas Penitentiary is safe.

On Sunday, the state news agency Antara quoted the head of the national disaster department as saying that the number of casualties in the quake-tsunami rose to 420. Authorities, however, said the death toll is still increasing and might reach thousands.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano and Malacañang already extended their sympathies and prayers to the victims of the tragedy.

“We grieve with our Indonesian brothers and sisters and stand hand in hand with them in praying for all of those who lost their lives in this tragedy,” Cayetano said from New York where he is attending the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The Palace said it joins “the people of Indonesia in offering our prayers to the hundreds who died after a powerful 7.4 earthquake and tsunami hit Central Sulawesi last Friday.”

The government also said the Philippines is ready to respond and extend assistance to Indonesia. — Rosette Adel