Missing Pinay, 3 kids died in Turkey quake – embassy

MANILA, Philippines — A Filipina and her three children, previously reported missing, died in the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck southeastern Turkey near the Syrian border, according to the Philippine embassy in Ankara.

“It is with deepest regret that the embassy must confirm the passing of a Filipina and her three children, previously reported to be missing under the rubble in Antakya,” the embassy said in a statement.

The Filipina and her children were laid to rest by her Turkish husband in accordance with Turkish tradition.

“The embassy and the entire Department of Foreign Affairs family express their deepest condolences for this tragedy,” the embassy said.

More than 20 families are at the Philippine embassy’s shelter.

The embassy has met more than 70 Filipinos who have decided to remain in the provinces. It is accelerating the repatriation of Filipino citizens who want to return to the Philippines.

More than 46,400 people have died across Syria and Turkey since the earthquakes struck nearly two weeks ago.

Homeward bound

Meanwhile, members of the 82-man Philippine inter-agency contingent sent by the government to help victims of the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey are now preparing to return home.

Office of Civil Defense spokesman Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said the search and rescue team is now on stand-by.

While waiting for instructions from local authorities if they will be tasked to conduct more search, rescue and retrieval operations, members of the team are helping the medical team in serving patients.

At the Laging Handa public briefing yesterday, Alejandro said the search and rescue personnel have cleared 38 buildings since arriving in Adiyaman in Turkey.

The medical team, on the other hand, has so far provided ambulatory medical care to at least 603 patients through a field hospital.

Alejandro said the entire contingent would leave Turkey on Feb. 24 and hopefully will be back in the country by March 1.

“Our medical team operates the field hospital every day. Members of the search and rescue team no longer has search assignment, so they are helping the medical team,” he added.

The Philippine government is also preparing to send help either by means of cash or non-food items to Syria, which was also affected by the strong earthquake. – Michael Punongbayan