PHL Expresses Sympathy to Papua New Guinea Earthquake Victims

09 March 2018 — The Philippines today expressed its sympathies to Papua Guinea after a powerful aftershock in the southern part of the country claimed more lives.

The Philippine Embassy in Port Moresby said no Filipinos have been reported among the more than 100 fatalities in the 7.5 magnitude earthquake that struck nine days ago and the 6.8 magnitude aftershock recorded midnight of 7 March.

“We express our condolences to the government and people of Papua New Guinea and pray that last night’s aftershock would be the last,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano said.

The Secretary also reiterated the expression of solidarity extended by President Duterte in the aftermath of the 27 February earthquake that struck the country’s Southern Highland Province.

The Embassy said Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol earlier met with Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill to personally extend the President’s condolences.

According to Ambassador Bienvenido Tejano, the private sector delegation accompanying Secretary Pinol also pledged to donate 1,000 bags of rice and a 40-foot container of canned goods for the earthquake victims.

 Ambassador Tejano said the Embassy continues to monitor the situation and is coordinating with local authorities and the Filipino community to ensure that everyone is safe and accounted for.

There are an estimated 36,000 Filipinos living in Papua New Guinea and around 300 in the neighboring Solomon Islands. END