Senate urges PH missions to account for Filipinos in Myanmar after quake

Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero and Senator Christopher "Bong" Go urged Philippine missions in Myanmar and Thailand, including the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), to account for and assist all Filipinos affected by the magnitude 7.7 earthquake.

Four Filipinos in Myanmar remain missing following the earthquake, with two identified as a married couple whose residential building in Mandalay collapsed.

The other two missing Filipinos are believed to be professionals, such as teachers or office workers.

Myanmar's state media confirmed at least 1,700 deaths from the earthquake, which is considered one of the biggest in the last century.

Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian also called on the DFA and the Philippine Consulate in Myanmar to intensify efforts to locate the missing Filipinos.

Go emphasized that protecting overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) during crises must be a national priority and urged Philippine authorities to intensify coordination and response efforts.

Escudero added that once rescue operations conclude, a full accounting of affected Filipinos is needed, along with psychosocial support for survivors.