Two Filipino sailors killed in Mexico bar fire — PHL official



Two Filipino sailors were among the 26 people killed in Mexico's southern port city of Coatzacoalcos this week after the bar they were in was set on fire during a gang war.
Cuitlahuac Garcia, State Governor of Veracruz, released a statement on social media, saying the Aug. 27 attack was a result of a dispute between rival gangs in the area.
The establishment was identified as Bar Caballo Blanco.
A suspected illegal drug route to the US, Veracruz is one of the most violent regions of Mexico, where bloody fights occur regularly between rival gangs.
"The embassy is now in touch with authorities and the Filipino seafarers’ manning agency for the repatriation of their remains," Philippine Ambassador to Mexico Demetrio Tuazon said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs extended its condolences to the families of the Filipino seafarers, adding the embassy stands ready to provide further assistance if needed.
The DFA declined to release the identities of the Filipino fatalities upon request of their families. — Michaela Del Callar/RSJ, GMA News

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