PH ready to help Laos after deadly dam mishap — DFA

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the Philippines is ready to assist Southeast Asian neighbor Laos “in whatever way it can if requested” after a dam collapse on Monday evening, leaving dozens of people dead and hundreds missing.

“Our thoughts are with the government and people of Laos as they cope with this tragedy,” DFA Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said in a statement on Wednesday.

“We hope and pray for the safe recovery of the many who were reported missing,” he added.

In a report to the DFA, Philippine Ambassador to Laos Belinda Ante said the Xepian-Xe Nam Noy hydropower dam collapsed due to heavy monsoon rains, sending millions of tons of water rampaging down at least six villages in Attapeu province.

Ante said they are already in touch with the Filipino community in Attapeu, situated about 584 kilometers southeast of Laos capital city Vientiane.

She added that only 10 of the 28 Filipinos registered with the Embassy are still in the area but all are “safe and have not been affected by the flooding,” which the Lao state media said displaced as many as 6,000 people.   /vvp