A Filipino previously reported missing after the powerful earthquake that rocked central Myanmar on March 28 has been confirmed dead, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega shared in an interview on TeleRadyo Serbisyo that the remains were recovered Tuesday night in Mandalay and positively identified by the National Bureau of Investigation through the victim’s tattoo and passport.
“The victim’s body was already in an advanced state of decomposition, which makes repatriation difficult,” De Vega explained.
He noted that cremation or burial in one of Mandalay’s Catholic cemeteries are being considered as options, with the possibility of retrieving the bones at a later time.
“Kinakausap namin ‘yung pamilya at tingnan natin kung ano pang assistance ang maibibigay natin. We want to respect them in this time of crisis pero parang alam na rin nila kasi matagal na rin,” De Vega said, adding that the family had likely accepted the situation after weeks of uncertainty.
The DFA confirmed that three other Filipinos are still missing and search efforts are ongoing.
“We continue to work and hope for the best for the remaining three Filipinos still unaccounted for,” the DFA stated.
The devastating quake has claimed over 3,600 lives, left thousands injured, and caused widespread destruction across homes, schools, and monasteries. Myanmar, already plagued by a civil war and economic hardship since the 2021 military coup, now faces an even deeper humanitarian crisis.
