THE Philippine Embassy in New Zealand is closely monitoring the developments in Tonga and two other Pacific islands with about 800 Filipino residents, after an underwater volcano erupted and triggered massive tsunamis across the Pacific.
There are 87 Filipino workers registered in Tonga, whose largest island Tongatapu was battered by tsunami Saturday. They are mostly teachers, missionaries, divers, household service workers, tailors, accountants, entrepreneurs and government service workers.
There is no Philippine Embassy in Tonga. The Philippine Embassy in Wellington has jurisdiction over Tonga as well as the nearby Pacific Islands of Samoa, Fiji and Cook Islands.
Philippine Ambassador to Wellington Jesus Domingo told Business Mirror that they have been trying to reach out to the Filipino community in Tonga but to no avail. Communication with the island state has been cut off.
“Post was able to reach out to friends and relatives of Filipinos in Tonga, who have conveyed unofficial reports that the tsunami warning is still up,” Domingo said.
Aside from Tonga, the Embassy is also closely following the developments in Samoa, where there are 300 Filipino workers, and Fiji with around 400 Filipino expatriates, mostly doctors and managers.
The tsunami waves from the violent explosion of the underground volcano also reached Samoa and Fiji .
Domingo said they are in touch with the Filipino community in Samoa. The tsunami warning is still in effect as of yesterday afternoon. Those who are living in lower lying areas have moved to higher grounds as a precaution.
“Philippine Consulate in Suva, Fiji has reported that there are no Filipino casualties and that the tsunami warning has been lifted (Saturday),” Domingo added.
There are 87 Filipinos registered in Tonga, whose largest island Tongatapu was battered by tsunami Saturday.
There is no Philippine Embassy in Tonga. The Philippine Embassy in Wellington has jurisdiction over Tonga as well as the nearby Pacific Islands of Samoa, Fiji and Cook Islands.
Aside from Tonga, the Embassy is also closely following the developments in Samoa, where there are 300 Filipino residents, and Fiji, with around 400 Filipino expatriates.
The tsunami waves from the violent explosion of the underground volcano also reached Samoa and Fiji. Reports reaching the Embassy said residents in those areas moved to higher ground.
Communication systems have been disrupted, but the Embassy is trying to reach out to Filipino community leaders to determine the condition of Filipinos there.
“Coordination efforts with local authorities and community leaders are ongoing to ascertain the situation on the ground and the condition of the Filipinos in Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji,” the DFA said in a statement.
Image credits: NICT via AP