Filipinos safe after magnitude 7.5 quake hit Taiwan – DFA’s initial report

Philippine Daily Inquirer file photo

MANILA, Philippines — Initial assessment showed that no Filipinos were hurt following the magnitude 7.5 earthquake in Taiwan, but preemptive “protocols” have been hoisted to ensure the safety of all, Philippine officials said on Wednesday.

In a text message to INQUIRER.net, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said he was informed by Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Officer in Charge Hans Cacdac that one building in Hualien was severely affected and there are reports of more damage after the powerful tremor.

“Our Filcom in Hualien reported no injuries, [e]specially Filipinos as of this time,” said De Vega, citing reports from Cacdac and the country’s labor attaché in Taiwan.

“They are still reaching out to the Filcom communities, to be sure,” he emphasized.

De Vega explained that under the One-China Policy, the DFA does not maintain diplomatic posts in Taiwan, but the DMW has resident attachés working purely on labor matters.

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In a separate advisory issued on Wednesday, DMW said it is actively monitoring the situation of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Taiwan after the tremor that rocked the island state at around 7:58 in the morning.

“The DMW’s three Migrant Workers Offices in Taiwan immediately activated protocols with Filipino communities, leaders, relevant Taiwan government agencies as well as employers and trade associations to ascertain the safety and status of Taiwan-based OFWs,” it said.

Data from DMW showed that 67,475 OFWs are currently in Taiwan.