PH extends condolences to kin of Flight MH370 victims

DFA spokesman Charles Jose. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines on Wednesday joined other countries in expressing condolences to the families and loved ones of the passengers and crew of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, which was officially declared a crash on Monday.

“The Philippine government conveys its sympathies to the families and loved ones of the passengers and crew of MH370, and expresses its solidarity with the governments and the peoples affected during these unfortunate and trying times,” Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose said in a press conference.

“As a close neighbor and partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Philippines has closely coordinated with Malaysian authorities in the search efforts, including the dispatch of Philippine aircraft and vessels to assist in the search. It also continues to stand ready to provide further assistance if needed,” he said.

Jose said the Philippines also lauded the assistance extended by the international community to locate the plane.

An international search effort is going on to find the wreckage of the plane, which satellite photos indicated to be in deep waters in the southern Indian Ocean 2,500 kilometers from Perth, Western Australia.

The plane carried 12 crew members and 227 passengers from 15 countries. The majority of passengers were Chinese citizens.