None of 70,000 Pinoys in Houston injured in Hurricane Harvey —DFA



By RIE TAKUMI, GMA News
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed in a statement on Monday morning that none of the 70,000 Filipinos residing in Houston, Texas were affected by the Category 4 Hurricane Harvey.
In a statement sent by Foreign Affairs Secretary Robbie Bolivar to GMA News Online, Los Angeles Consul General Adelio Angelito Cruz received no ill reports from Houston-based Honorary Consul Ethel Mercado.
Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano expressed sympathies with the two casualties of Harvey and Filipinos affected by the storm as it continues to batter the southern area of the US.
"Our hearts go out to the people of Houston, including the thousands of our kababayan who have to go through this terrible ordeal," Cayetano said upon landing at Kuala Lumpur last night.
"We offer our deepest sympathies to the families of those who lost their lives in this disaster," he continued. "We will continue to pray for Houston and its people."
Both the Consulate General and the Honorary Consulate remain alert for updates regarding the storm, which "dumped more than 26 inches of rain in Metro Houston in the past two days."
Filipinos in affected areas who need assistance may call the Consulate General in Los Angeles at +1 (213) 587-0758. —KG, GMA News

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