A view shows damaged buildings and debris, in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake in Moulay Brahim, Morocco, September 10, 2023. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
MANILA, Philippines — House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has extended his condolences to the families affected by a magnitude 6.8 earthquake, which occurred near Marrakech, Morocco, last September 8.
“In the wake of the recent devastating earthquake in Morocco, we express our heartfelt sympathies to the Moroccan people. Such events are poignant reminders of the unpredictable forces of nature we all must grapple with,” Romualdez said in a statement on Sunday.
“As we share our condolences with the affected families, we acknowledge the commendable efforts of the rescue teams, working diligently amidst adversity. The international community stands united in its wish to see swift recovery and healing for Morocco during these challenging times,” he added.
The lawmaker likewise expressed his appreciation to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Philippines’ Ambassador to Morocco, Leslie Baja, for their efforts to ensure the safety of the Filipinos in Morocco.
On Saturday, the DFA said that no reported Filipino deaths were recorded so far following the quake, which resulted in the death of more than 2,000 people.
READ: Strong quake in Morocco kills over 2,000; damages historic buildings in Marrakech
“We encourage our kababayans (fellow Filipinos) to stay vigilant and maintain close coordination with local authorities,” Romualdez said.
“In moments of global challenges, unity and understanding are paramount. We extend our hand in solidarity to Morocco and remain committed to the welfare of our overseas Filipino community,” he added.