No Pinoy seeking repatriation from earthquake-hit Morocco —DFA exec

An official from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday said no Filipino has so far expressed intention to get repatriated from Morocco following a powerful earthquake there.

"So far, wala po sa kababayan natin ang humihingi ng repatriation. Kung meron man nakahanda ang ating gobyerno na tulungan silang makauwi," DFA Assistant Secretary Paul Cortez said in a televised public briefing.

(So far, none from our countrymen are seeking repatriation. If any, the government is ready to assist them so that they can go home.)

Cortez reiterated that no Filipinos were hurt in the magnitude 6.8 earthquake that struck the North African country last week.

"There are 4,600 mga kababayans po natin na nakatira doon sa Morocco ngunit doon sa lugar kung saan may lindol, sa Marrakesh, mga 50 thereabouts po lamang and good for us, luckily, medyo wala naman pong kababayan natin ang naiulat na nasalanta o kaya'y nasaktan o kaya'y naging casualty ng lindol na ito," he said.

(There are 4,600 Filipinos in Morocco but only about 50 in Marrakesh, which was the place hit by the earthquake. Luckily, none of our countrymen were hurt or were among the casualties.)

The Philippine Embassy in Morocco earlier said no Filipinos were reported hurt or killed in the strong earthquake. Embassy personnel were also reported to be safe.

Despite this, Cortez advised Filipinos who will need assistance to immediately contact the Philippine Embassy in Rabat at +212660764577.

Authorities in Morocco said more than 2,000 individuals were killed due to the earthquake, majority of them in Al-Haouz, the epicenter, and in the Taroudant provinces.

The ministry also recorded deaths in Ouarzazate, Chichaoua, Azilal and Youssoufia provinces, as well as in Marrakesh, Agadir and the Casablanca area.

The Moroccan government said on Saturday it was taking urgent measures to address the disaster including reinforcing search and rescue teams, providing drinking water and distributing food, tents and blankets.

France said it stood ready to help and was awaiting a formal request from Morocco. "France is ready to offer its aid to Morocco if Morocco decides it is useful," President Emmanuel Macron said at the G20 Summit in New Delhi.

"The second they request this aid, it will be deployed," he added.

Other countries offering assistance include Turkey, where earthquakes in February killed more than 50,000 people. By Sunday, the Turkish team had not yet departed.

The World Health Organization said more than 300,000 people have been affected by the disaster.

Pope Francis offered prayers and solidarity for the victims.

Morocco has declared three days of mourning and King Mohammed VI called for prayers for the dead to be held at mosques across the country.  —with a report from Reuters/KBK, GMA Integrated News