MikeLigalig.com

By Gloria Jane Baylon

MANILA, March 3 (PNA) — Eleven persons, all believed to be Filipinos who were buried alive in the aftermath of last week’s powerful earthquake in New Zealand, are presumed dead by authorities, Acting Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert F. del Rosario told the press on Thursday.

Del Rosario said the grim news was relayed to him by phone during a conversation with New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully on Wednesday afternoon. McCully had called to extend his government's condolences to the families of the Filipino victims.

The Filipinos, mostly students brushing up on their English in preparation for work in New Zealand’s health service sector, were at their language school in the CTV Building in Christchurch when the 6.3 temblor shook New Zealand’s second biggest city to its foundation.

Filipinos and other Asian students at the school were among the largest group of foreign casualties of the quake. Authorities now estímate the total number of dead at 220, with no less than 100 from the Philippines, Japan, China and Indonesia.

Still missing since last week's quake were Jesse Lloyd Redoble, John Christopher Chua, Ezra Mae Medalle, Emmabel Anova, Jewel Francisco, Ivy Jane Cabunillas, Mary Louise Anne Amantillo, Valquin Bensurto, Rhea Mae Sumalpong, Erica Nora and Lalaine Agatep.

“He was extending his sympathy for the loss of the eleven Filipinos who have perished in that earthquake and I think they stopped the search and they’re going into another mode now,” Del Rosario told reporters.

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