DFA building in Pasay City. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
The Philippines expressed its condolences to Indonesia on the death of more than 400 people from a 7.4 magnitude earthquake and tsunami that hit Central Sulawesi on Friday.
READ: Earthquake jolts central Sulawesi in Indonesia
Earthquake jolts central Sulawesi in Indonesia
READ: Deaths top 380 in Indonesia as tsunami and quake devastate coast
384 dead in Indonesia tsunami, quake; residents camp outside
“We grieve with our Indonesian brothers and sisters and stand hand in hand with them in praying for all of those who lost their lives in this tragedy,” Foreign Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said in a statement released by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Saturday night.
Cayetano assured the Indonesian people of the Philippines’ readiness to respond and extend assistance if needed.
According to Ambassador to Indonesia Leehiong T. Wee, the earthquake and tsunami struck the provincial capital of Palu and the neighboring city of Donggala.
Indonesia state media said 420 had been counted dead as of Sunday morning with more than 500 injured and at least 29 still missing.
Wee said the only Filipino in the area was a detainee serving his sentence at the Lapas Penitentiary. He was reported to be safe. /cbb