31 December 2004 – Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto G. Romulo expressed great sadness as he confirmed two more Filipino fatalities resulting from the tsunami that hit Thailand on 26 December 2004.  “I signify my solidarity with the grieving families of Estelita C. Sales and Ivy Catherine Tomenio-Terasaka who perished in the disaster that struck Thailand and I share in their sadness as they mourn the passing of their loved ones,” Secretary Romulo said.

The Secretary was referring to the separate confirmations by Philippine Ambassador to Thailand Antonio V. Rodriguez of the deaths of two more Filipinos, Estelita and Ivy Catherine, who officially became the second and third Filipino casualties respectively in Thailand.  Estelita and Ivy Catherine were both previously listed as missing.

Secretary Romulo also instructed the Philippine Embassy and the DFA Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs (OUMWA) to extend all possible assistance to the relatives of the Filipino casualties and make the necessary arrangements for the remains of the Filipino victims.

The Secretary said “I have already instructed OUMWA, Ambassador Rodriguez and the Philippine Embassy Team in Phuket to coordinate with the families of the Filipino casualties for all possible assistance that could be given them, especially in following their wishes regarding the shipment back to the Philippines, as well as funeral arrangements for the remains of their loved ones.”

According to the report of the Philippine Embassy, Estelita’s last known address before being confirmed is the Sofitel Hotel in Khao Lak Island.  Officers of the DFA-OUMWA and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) have already spoken today with the relatives of Estelita and are consulting with them for the arrangements to be made for the shipment back to the Philippines of her remains.

The Philippine Embassy further reports Embassy Consular Officer Mr. Jasper Revilla, who was sent to the Phuket as part of the Embassy Team, was present when Ms. Yvonne Tomenio-Catuday confirmed today the death of her sister Ivy Catherine.  Embassy representatives will also be present at the cremation of Ivy Catherine’s remains today.  Yvonne was flown to Phuket by Sumitomo Forestry (Singapore) Ltd., employer of Ivy Catherine’s Japanese husband Masahiro Terasaka to help identify the remains of the Terasaka family (please official DFA press release SFA-AGR-883-04 dated 29 December 2004).  The remains of Ivy Catharine’s husband and three children have not yet been found.

Meanwhile Ambassador Rodirguez furnished Secretary Romulo with an updated list of the Filipino tsunami victims in Thailand, tallying three dead, 20 missing and 27 Survivors based on reports collated by the Philippine Embassy and OWWA:
 
 

  END.