Missing Filipina in Haiti found dead under rubble

A Filipino woman reported missing in the aftermath of the earthquake that devastated Haiti last January 12 was confirmed dead after her body was found over the weekend. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced on Monday that the remains of Mary Grace Fabian were pulled out of the collapsed Caribbean Supermarket at about midnight Sunday (Manila time). "Ms. Fabian, an employee of the Caribbean supermarket, was identified through her uniform, hair and necklace," the DFA said on its Web site. Citing a report from Lt. Col. Lope Dagoy, Commander of the 10th Philippine Peacekeeping Contingent, the DFA said the Central National Equipment Retrieval team, assisted by some members of the Philippine contingent headed by Corporal Eric Dedales and Senior Navy Officer I Carlo Dangcalan, recovered Fabian's remains. It said Lowel Lalican, husband of Geraldine Lalican, identified the body. Geraldine is still believed trapped under the rubble of the supermarket. Fabian's sister Rosalyn decided to immediately bury Grace’s remains at the National Cemetery in Port-au-Prince. The Philippine contingent in Haiti is currently securing the Caribbean Supermarket area and is continuing recovery efforts for Lalican. Philippine Honorary Consul to Haiti Fitzgerald Brandt is supervising the recovery efforts. On Friday last week, the DFA welcomed the fifth batch of 32 Filipinos repatriated from Haiti. At least 63 Filipinos have been repatriated so far. - KBK, GMANews.TV