Search for 4 missing OFWs in Myanmar still ongoing—DMW

A week after the deadly earthquake, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said Tuesday that the search for the four missing Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Myanmar is still ongoing.

In an interview on Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said that search efforts continue despite complications caused by the effects of the Magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck Myanmar and affected Thailand on March 28.

“Sila pinapalagay na nasa isang dormitoryo o around 12-story facility na may iba't iba magkakatabing buildings, so medyo komplikado ang search na sinasagawa, going through the rubble, the heavy stones, and they go floor to floor,” said Cacdac.

(They were housed in one dormitory or 12-story facility that was surrounded by other buildings, so the ongoing search is a bit complicated going through the rubble, the heavy stones, and they go from floor to floor.)

Cacdac said they are coordinating with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), local authorities, and the Philippine contingent in Myanmar.

The DMW also said it is in touch with the families of the four missing OFWs.

“Hindi tayo hinto until maabot ang pinapalagay nating lugar kung nasaan sila, kasi okay naman ang units nila sa dorms. So, nakaabang tayo sa respective floors na kinilalagyan ang apat na nawawala na missing OFWs,” Cacdac added.

(We will not stop until we reach the area where we believe they are located, because their dorm units are okay. We are waiting on their respective floors where the four missing OFWs are located.)

In an earlier statement, DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega shared that the situation on-ground in Myanmar remains problematic and difficult.

Cacdac said that they are actively working to find the missing OFWs and provide support for their families.

"We aim to help not only in locating the missing four but also for any other Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) who may require any form of aid, medical or otherwise, while in Myanmar," he said. —RF, GMA Integrated News