PHILIPPINE NEWS SERVICE — THE bodies of two Filipinos have been retrieved from the collapsed Christopher Hotel in Haiti.
The victims were Jerome Yap, executive assistant to the deputy head of the UN mission in Haiti and peacekeeper Pearly Panangui, of the Philippine Navy.
Yap’s body was recovered a few hours after the remains of UN Mission Head Hedi Annabi, his deputy Luis Tacosta and Chinese Ambassador to Haiti Shulin Wang were pulled out.
Foreign Affairs spokesman Ed Malaya said the family of Yap has been informed of his demise and his brother based in New York is making arrangements for the return of his remains.
In Camp Aguinaldo, officials announced the grim news that the body of Panangui had been found.
“It is with deepest regret and sorrow that we inform the public that early this morning, at 5:30 a.m., the body of Philippine Navy Data Processor 3rd Class Pearly Panangui was recovered from the ruins of the collapsed Christopher hotel, lifeless.
“We continue to hope that Sergeants Janice Arocena and Eustacio Bermudez are still alive as we continue to conduct massive search and retrieval operations. All efforts are being done in partnership with all concerned agencies,” AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner, Jr. said in a statement.
AFP chief of staff General Victor S. Ibrado offered his deepest sympathies and condolences to Panangui’s family.
“Let her passing remind us of the heroism of the Filipino soldier – a single individual who made the ultimate sacrifice while sharing the commitment of her nation to international peace and security,” he said..
“We are filled with a deep sense of gratitude for these people who symbolize the commitment of our nation as a signatory to the UN charter to the promotion of international peace and stability. May their memories live forever in our hearts and minds, and may they inspire all of us, military or civilian, to be always of service to country and the humanity,” he said.
There were more than 400 Filipino civilians in Haiti, including people working for UN agencies, when a massive quake hit the country on January 12.
The Philippines also had a 172-strong contingent in the UN peacekeeping force, comprising police, soldiers, and military observers.