DFA: No Pinoy killed in quake, tsunami in Indonesia

No Filipino has so far been reported among the casualties of Tuesday's earthquake and tsunami that killed at least 113 people in Indonesia. On Wednesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs said this was the initial report of the Philippine Embassy in Jakarta, even as it continued to monitor the situation. "Batay sa report ng Embassy sa Jakarta, walang Pilipino ang napaslang sa earthquake na nangyari roon (Based on the initial report from our embassy in Jakarta, no Filipino was killed in the quake there)," DFA undersecretary for migrant workers affairs Esteban Conejos Jr. said in an interview on dzBB radio. Conejos said there are some 100,000 Filipinos in Indonesia, many of them working in managerial posts. As this developed, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo advised the DFA to prepare a possible humanitarian team to help in rescue and relief efforts. Radio dzBB's Denver Trinidad reported that Romulo issued the "advice" from Vietnam, where he is accompanying President Benigno Aquino III on a state visit. Several remain missing and information was only beginning to trickle in from the sparsely populated surfing destination following Tuesday's quake and tsunami. Conejos said the DFA is not likely to issue a travel advisory on Indonesia over the quake and tsunami, but said the embassy will advise Filipinos already in Indonesia to be careful. "Wala tayong in-issue na travel advisory on that pero standard operating sa atin especially sa embassy na sila mismo nag-issue ng local advisory sa Indonesia (We have not issued a travel advisory on Indonesia but it is standard procedure for our Embassy there to issue a local advisory)," he said. Assistance to Pinoys Conejos said the DFA and the Department of Labor and Employment are prepared to accommodate Filipinos in Indonesia who want to return home after the tragedy. He said the Filipinos need to notify the embassy that they need assistance. "Kung kailangang umuwi, tutulungan natin sila, DFA and DOLE. Handa kaming ibigay ang lahat na tulong galing sa gobyerno (If they need to return home, the DFA and DOLE will help them. We are ready to extend assistance from government)," he said. "Pag emergency situation, meron kaming emergency repatriation fund. Ang importante first of all i-assure natin anong kalagayan ang security nila tapos tingnan natin kung kailangan magpauwi. Kung gusto nila we can provide assistance (In an emergency situation, we have an emergency repatriation fund. Our priority is to ensure our Filipinos' security then see if they need to get home. If they want, we can provide assistance)," he added. He said the DOLE's Overseas Workers Welfare Administration has livelihood programs to help OFWs, especially OWWA members, reintegrate in society. — RSJ, GMANews.TV