No Filipino deaths in California wildfires, 150 seek help – PH consulate

People affected by the Los Angeles fires visit LILA (Lycée International de Los Angeles) relief center looking for needed supplies on January 12, 2025, in Los Angeles, California. Agence France-Presse

MANILA, Philippines — No Filipinos have been identified among the fatalities of the Southern California wildfires, according to the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles.

As of Monday, the death toll has risen to 24, based on the latest report from Agence France-Presse.

Consul General Adelio Angelito Cruz said that while no Filipino fatalities have been reported, more than 150 Filipinos have sought assistance from the consulate.

READ: Death toll from Los Angeles wildfires rises to 24

“Right now, with the help of our colleagues at the Pilipino Workers’ Center, more than 150 [of] our compatriots have asked for help. They are among the close to 100,000 people who were displaced or placed in mandatory evacuation,” said Cruz in an interview over Radyo 630.

According to Cruz, none of these Filipinos have so far expressed their intent to be repatriated to the Philippines. He explained that many of them are immigrants, making them dual citizens.

“I just want to explain that the assistance provided by the consulate is for our compatriots who are immigrants or dual citizens. If they have become US Citizens, they have sworn an oath to the American flag, they are no longer Filipinos and the help that our government can give them is limited because they are no longer Filipinos,” he added.

READ: Fil-Ams grapple with devastating LA fires: ‘It’s like an apocalypse’

Cruz assured that these over 150 Filipinos staying in evacuation centers are being given sufficient food, medicine, and other basic needs through various organizations established by “good samaritans” in LA County.

He also emphasized that many Filipino-American organizations are ready to help them find employment.

Cruz  said that before the fires that began on January 7, there had been no rain for the last three or four months from the mountains of LA County which made the trees and grass “very dry.”