DFA: Aid assured for kin of victims in NZ quake

Philippine officials in New Zealand on Saturday vowed continued assistance to relatives of victims of last month's magnitude-6.3 quake that hit the Christchurch area hardest. The Department of Foreign Affairs said the reassurance came even as the relatives of one of the confirmed fatalities are on their way to New Zealand. "(Jewel Jose) Francisco's family are en route to New Zealand, along with the relatives of [still missing] Emmabelle Anoba and Mary Louise Anne Amantillo," the DFA said in a news release on its website. New Zealand police earlier confirmed the deaths of Francisco and Ivy Jane Cabunillas in the quake that devastated the Christchurch area. Philippine Charge d'Affaires Giovanni Palec said Philippine Embassy representatives were with the New Zealand-based family of Cabunillas when New Zealand authorities informed them of her death. Filipinos who are still missing in quake are:

* Jessie Lloyd Redoble * John Kristoffer Chua * Ezra Mae Medalle * Emmabel Anoba * Mary Louise Anne Amantillo * Valquin Bensurto * Rhea Mae Sumalpong * Erica Nora * Lalaine Collado Agatep

The DFA said the families of Bensurto and Chua are in Christchurch already. It said the families of Redoble and Sumalpong have gone back to Australia where they are based, and will return once their loved ones have been positively identified. On the other hand, the family of Medalle is represented by an aunt, who is married to a New Zealand national. "Embassy representatives have coordinated with insurance providers, which covered the victims, and some members of the Filipino community in Christchurch for the arrangements for the families' accommodations and transportation," the DFA said. It added the family members of the Filipino victims were briefed on how the rescue operations were carried out. They were also oriented by the different offices, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ministry of Education, Insurance, and the Accident Compensation Corporation on the available support, financial and counseling services. Also, the DFA said Embassy representatives requested New Zealand authorities for a visit of the families to the Canterbury Television (CTV) building site, where majority of those missing were last seen. "They will also maintain a presence in Christchurch to provide assistance to the Filipino community there, as well as to give moral support to the families of the victims, especially when positive identification of the remains are made and on the repatriation of the remains of their loved ones to the Philippines," the DFA said. — LBG, GMA News