Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 11) — The remains of an overseas Filipino worker who died in the deadly magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Turkey — now called Türkiye — will soon be repatriated, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.
Two Filipinos were killed in the quake that also hit Syria. Two others were hurt but have since recovered.
READ: 2 Filipinos dead from Turkey quake
“As requested by the daughter and with consent of the husband, the embassy is arranging the immediate repatriation of the body of Wilma Abulad Tezcan, an OFW whose identity has been previously reported by the media,” the Philippine Embassy in Ankara, the capital of Türkiye, said on Saturday.
For the other Filipino who perished, the embassy said: “For our kababayan [compatriot] married to a Turkish national, her family is seeking consent from her husband regarding the treatment of her human remains.”
As of this writing, over 22,700 deaths have been recorded in the aftermath of the powerful tremor.
The embassy also said the 85-strong team of Philippine rescuers deployed to Türkiye had successfully evacuated four families from the city of Gaziantep, which is more than 200 kilometers from the previous operations in Antakya, Hatay.
More Filipino rescue teams may be sent to aid quake victims in war-torn Syria.
Meanwhile, some Filipinos who remained in Türkiye willingly sacrificed the relief goods meant for themselves and distributed them to those in need, according to the embassy.
“For the brave Filipinos who chose to stay for their family and their homes, the embassy offered relief goods,” it said. “However, among these Filipinos in Gaziantep who chose to stay, some kindly suggested that the embassy give their share of the relief goods to those who need them the most. They said their situation was good and safe.”
The embassy also said it will continue to accept information on Filipinos affected by the earthquake, which may be sent via phone and WhatsApp (+905345772344), via email at ankara.pe@dfa.gov.ph, or via Facebook.
