NOKOR THREAT Pinoys in Guam see no reason to panic, evacuate –consul general



Filipinos in Guam see no reason to evacuate despite the missile threat from North Korea, according to Philippine Consul General Marciano de Borja.
In an interview on QRT on Friday, De Borja said this was the general sentiment of Filipinos during his dialogue with Filipino businessmen and leaders of Filipino communities on the island.
"Sa mga pakikipag-usap ko sa mga Pilipinong namumuno ng mga organization dito at 'yung mga may negosyo at mga professionals, 'di naman sila gaanong nangangamba," De Borja said.
He said it was not the first time North Korea threatened to send a missile to Guam, which is a US territory, and that the government of Guam has repeatedly assured them that the situation is under control.
"Actually noong 2013 nagsimula yung kanilang pagsasabi na mayroon silang capability na they can launch ballistic missiles to US territories, including Guam. Kaya noon pa lang nagkaroon na ng paghahanda," De Borja said.
"Kaya naman yung ating mga kababayan dito hindi naman nagpa-panic o wala naman silang indication na gusto nilang lumikas," he added.
De Borja pointed out that many Filipinos in Guam are already well established, thus making it difficult for them to leave the island on a whim.
He also said Filipinos in Guam are confident that Guam, being home to two big US military bases, can thwart any missile attack from North Korea.
"We are not worried"
Meanwhile, at least three Filipinos based in Guam said in a 24 Oras report by GMA News Sandra Aguinaldo that they are not worried about the situation, though they understand if their families in the Philippines are worried about them.
"Hindi naman ako nababahala pero siyempre world news na siya so yung mga kapatid ko text sila ng text na umuwi na daw ako," one Filipino said.
"I'm very confident na kayang depensahan ng US military ang Guam since we have a US air force here tsaka US naval base," another said
"Hindi po ako nababahala kasi kahit nasaan ka pa, kung talagang panahon mo na, wala kang magagawa," a third Filipino said.
The 24 Oras report said there are 163,000 people residing in Guam, of which 42,800 are either Filipino workers or Filipino-Americans. —KBK, GMA News

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