17 January 2005 – Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto G. Romulo today conveyed his heartfelt condolences to Ms. Margaret Ang Choi, a Filipino national, for the death of her daughter Isis Gayleen Choi, a British passport holder, who passed away this morning after failing to recover from her injuries sustained during the tsunami that hit Phuket on 26 December 2005.   Gayleen, who turned 10 on Friday, 14 January 2005, was confined at the intensive care unit of the Vichara Hospital in Thailand.

“I am terribly saddened with the unfortunate turn of events.  Thousands have died as result of the Asian tsunami and its aftermath.  It is certainly very tragic to learn that one as young as Gayleen would perish as a result of this awful calamity,” the Secretary said, adding, “I have instructed the Philippine Embassy in Bangkok and the tsunami Task Force in Phuket to extend all possible assistance to Ms. Margaret Ang Choi, especially in arranging for the funeral of the her daughter Gayleen.”

Margaret is counted as one of the Filipinos who survived the tsunami disaster in southwestern Thailand on 26 December 2004, though her British husband, Chung Huen Gilbert Choi, and son Jon Garvyn, also a British passport holder, did not live through the catastrophe.

On Friday afternoon, Consul Marshall Louis M. Alferez even visited Margaret at the Vichara Hospital.  He brought a cake and a stuffed toy as gifts for Gayleen, who was then still in critical condition in the hospital’s ICU, though her vital signs had reportedly stabilized.  The Philippine Embassy Task Force also made representations with Thai immigration authorities to extend Margaret’s stay in Thailand for one more month or until 14 February to allow her to take care of her daughter.  The Thai authorities responded favorably to the request.

During Consul Alferez’ visit, Margaret expressed her appreciation for the continuous support and prayers of Filipinos in Thailand and here in the Philippines for her and her daughter.  She also thanked the Philippine Embassy in Bangkok for all the assistance it has extended to her as she also expressed appreciation for the government of the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong.

In the meantime, the Department today issued its updated list of Filipinos affected by the tsunami, as shown in the separate press release. END
 

/Gary