DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
P H O T O  R E L E A S E
2330 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, Philippines                                     Tel. No. 834-4000                                                         www.dfa.gov.ph
SFA-AGR-May-20                                                                                                                                                                                                 20 May  2005

 

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY, THAILAND FACILITATES RETURN OF THE CREMATED REMAINS

OF FILIPINA TSUNAMI VICTIM, ASHES TURNED OVER TO FAMILY

20 May 2005—Foreign Affairs Acting Secretary Jose S. Brillantes assures that “the Department will continue to assist the families of Filipinos who perished in last year’s Asian tsunami” as he handed over to Mrs. Luzviminda Cruz (2nd left) the urn containing the cremated remains of her daughter, Cruzett Bulaon Cruz. Cruzett worked as a dancer at the Sofitel Resort Hotel in Khao Lak, Phuket, Thailand, and died in the tsunami that hit that popular vacation island last 27 December 2004.  She was 19 years old.  Her remains had not been immediately returned to the Philippines pending DNA identification by Thai authorities. The ashes of Cruzett arrived from Thailand via Thai Airways flight TG620 this afternoon accompanied by Mr. Aquino Sultan  (2nd from right), consular officer from the Philippine Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand. Joining in the simple turn over rites is Mr. Pedro Chan (right), Executive Director, OUMWA-DFA, and members of the Cruz family. (Mark Santos)

/epa