PH Embassy offers condolences, help to family of twister victims

Lolabeth Ortega and Lord Balatbat of Jersey City, New Jersey died in a tornado that hit a campground in Virginia. FACEBOOK PHOTO

WASHINGTON, DC—The Philippine Embassy here and the Philippine Consulate General in New York offered condolences to the family of two Filipino Americans from New Jersey who lost their lives after a tornado struck a camping site in Cape Charles, Virginia, on Thursday, July 24.

Philippine diplomatic officials also asked the Filipino community in the United States to offer prayers for the deceased Filipino-American couple.

“We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones of Lordy Balatbat and Lolabeth Ortega,” Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. said. “We would like to invite the Filipino-American community to offer prayers for the couple and the loved ones who they left behind.”

Deputy Consul General Zaldy Patron also visited Balatbat’s parents, Luis and Lily, and other family members in Jersey City, to express the sympathies of the Embassy and the Consulate General and at the same time convey the offer to help. Jersey City Councilman Rolando Lavarro accompanied Patron.

Balatbat and Ortega, both 38 and residents of Jersey City, New Jersey, were killed and their 13-year old son, Lheandro Lloyd, was seriously injured when a tree fell on their tent at the height of tornado that hit the campsite in Virginia’s eastern shore, more than four hours by car from Washington, DC.

Patron said the couple’s two daughters, Lharizia, 12, and Lheana Ann, 6, were also injured along with another Filipino-American couple.

Balatbat’s brother, Lovel, who was with the family, escaped injuries. Also with them was Ortega’s sister and her two children, but it is not known if they were among the 34 other injured victims.

The Embassy and the Consulate General are consulting with police authorities, hospital officials and members of the Filipino community in Virginia and New Jersey on how they could extend assistance to the family of the victims.

RELATED STORY

Tornado kills two Fil-Am campers in Virginia