08 July 2005 – Philippine Ambassador to the Court of Saint James Edgardo B. Espiritu reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that a consular officer will be visiting at the hospital Mrs. Catherine Tantoco Daniel who was injured in the series of bomb blasts to hit Central London on the morning of 07 July 2005 (British Standard Time or BST).  The Embassy is likewise monitoring hospitals in the area for other Filipinos who may have been affected by the coordinated attacks on the British capital.

Ambassador Espiritu reported that Embassy representatives were able to speak with Mr. Tim Daniel, a British national and the husband of Catherine.  Mr. Daniel informed the Embassy representatives that his wife is presently confined at the Royal London Hospital, where she is being treated for burns and lacerations resulting from glass splinters.

The Embassy also reported that Catherine was scheduled to undergo surgery at the hospital on the evening of 07 July (early morning Manila time) for the removal of glass fragments from various parts of her body.  Doctors at the hospital have characterized the Filipina’s injuries as superficial and non-life threatening, though she may take a few weeks to completely recover.

Mr. Daniel informed the Embassy that Catherine was calm and lucid, although a bit shaken and under shock, resulting from the trauma of the blast.  Ambassador Espiritu reported that “the Filipino national....was injured at the train carnage where a bomb exploded near the Aldgate East tube station shortly before 9:00 a.m., 07 July.”

Ambassador Espiritu said a consular officer will visit Catherine at the hospital to ascertain her condition and extend to her all possible assistance that she may require.  The Embassy is also coordinating with the various London hospitals and among the Filipino community to determine the other Filipinos who may have been affected by the attacks.

The Philippine Embassy reported that there have been about seven blasts, six being at the various stations of the Central London underground train service or the tube.   According to the report, the route of the seemingly coordinated explosions spanned East London at the Aldgate Tube Station to Liverpool Street Station and Moorgate within the City into North London at King’s Cross Station into Edgeware in West London.  Another blast was reported to have happened on a double-decker bus at Russel Square.

Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto G. Romulo issued a statement condemning the senseless violence, while condoling with the British nation for their loss.  (Please refer to the separate press release on Secretary Romulo’s statement.) END
 
 

/jay