DFA confirms death of 2nd Pinay in Joplin tornado

A second Filipina was confirmed to have died in the tornado that struck Joplin town in Missouri on May 22, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Friday. Citing a report from the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago, the DFA identified the second victim as Esterlita Manansala Moore. "[Moore] died when she was carried away from her apartment after the tornado struck," the DFA said in a news release on its website. "The Consulate has extended its message of sympathy to her sister, Aiko Uylengco and assured her of our assistance," Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim added. The Consulate is also coordinating with the Missouri Office of the Governor for the release of her remains to Moore's family, as well as the release of the remains of Grace Aquino, the other Filipina who perished in the tornado, to her family. Earlier, the Consulate confirmed Aquino's death, and extended its condolences and readiness to give assistance to her family. Lim also assured Filipinos in Joplin of the Consulate's assistance. "The Consulate will send a team to Joplin as soon as the weather conditions settle down in the region and it is safe for travel. Tornadoes continue to strike in Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, and Illinois is under a severe thunderstorm warning," he said. There are a total 10,396 Filipinos in the Missouri area, most of them based in St. Louis, St. Charles, Fort Leonard Wood, and Blue Springs. Meanwhile, the DFA said Filipinos who have relatives in Missouri may contact the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency at telephone number (573) 526-9100 and fax number (573) 634-7966; the Office of the Missouri Governor at telephone number (573) 751-3222 or the American Red Cross at telephone number (1-800) 733-2767 or at its website at www.redcross.org. — LBG, GMA News