4 Filipinos are trapped in UN building collapse in Haiti

14 January 2010- Tenth Philippine Contingent Commander Lieutenant Colonel Lope Dagoy reported that 157 of its troops are accounted for and safe. Four Filipino peacekeepers are trapped in the collapsed United Nations building. Efforts are being undertaken for their rescue, he said.

One soldier, Sergeant Staff Bonifacio T. Pait of Tabuk, Calinga, is wounded but in stable condition.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), through the AFP Peacekeeping Operation Center based in Camp O’Donnell in Capas, Tarlac, has already contacted the families of the trapped AFP personnel.

Philippine National Police (PNP) Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Fuentes also reported that all 15 PNP personnel who are members of the peacekeeping contingent are accounted for.

“The task force consisting of our very own peacekeepers is already on the ground assisting our Filipino kababayans in Haiti. Filipinos are helping each other there. Ambassador Corsino will coordinate with them and our Honorary Consulate in Port-au-Prince so we can provide immediate assistance and relief efforts to the Filipinos in Haiti,” Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Esteban Conejos said Thursday.

The Philippine Embassy in Havana clarified that there are only 290 Filipinos in Haiti, mostly in the garments, telecommunication and power generation sectors. They mostly occupy middle and upper management positions. There are also Filipino nuns and priests in Haiti.

A 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti last January 12 resulting in widespread casualties.
Philippine peacekeepers were the first to rush to the collapsed UN headquarters and other buildings and are now actively involved in the rescue operations.

Ambassador Corsino is also directed to present a plan of action for the repatriation of Filipinos who would want to go back to Manila.
Meanwhile, communication links have been re-established with the Philippine Peacekeeping Contingent.

The DFA advises families of Filipinos in Haiti to contact the DFA Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (OUMWA) at 834-4996 for inquiries. Families of Filipino peacekeepers may contact the AFP Peacekeeping Operations Center.

Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations Hilario Davide, Jr. met with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and expressed the Philippine Government’s condolences over the tragedy that left a number of UN staff still unaccounted for.

Ambassador Davide also met and condoled with Ambassador Leo Merores, Permanent Representative of Haiti to the United Nations.