Philippine Ambassador to Thailand Millicent Cruz Paredes assured on Sunday that the Filipino community in Thailand remains safe and unaffected following the powerful earthquake that struck Myanmar and caused tremors across the region.
Speaking to Radyo Pilipinas World Service, Paredes said the situation in Thailand has “calmed down” two days after the 7.7-magnitude quake that rattled parts of the country.
“I could feel that the situation is better compared to the day (March 28) itself when the earthquake happened,” she said.
She emphasized that public services and transportation have resumed normal operations, and reiterated that reports of 10 Filipino deaths in Thailand were false.
“The embassy remains on alert, and we continue to verify information to avoid panic,” Paredes added.
Meanwhile, in Myanmar, the Philippine Embassy in Yangon reported that four out of 128 registered overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are still unaccounted for. The conditions of three others are currently being verified.
“Maging panatag po tayo na ang Embahada ay hindi titigil sa pagsasagawa ng lahat ng posibleng paraan upang matiyak ang kaligtasan ng bawat Pilipino sa Mandalay,” the Embassy said in a Facebook post.
Search and rescue efforts continue at the collapsed Sky Villa condominium in Mandalay, where some Filipinos were believed to be residing. Myanmar’s Fire Services Department and international teams are leading the operations.
The embassy urged prayers for the safety of Filipinos still missing.
“Patuloy po tayong manalangin na ligtas ang ating mga kababayan doon,” it said.
The initial quake, previously reported as magnitude 8.2, struck near Mandalay in Myanmar’s Sagaing region on March 28. As of Sunday, Myanmar’s ruling military junta reported at least 1,644 dead, 2,376 injured, and 3,408 missing. A 5.1-magnitude aftershock was also recorded near Mandalay on Sunday morning.
In Thailand, 18 fatalities have been confirmed so far.