Death toll in the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that rocked parts of Myanmar and Thailand has reached 1,700 and several persons missing.

Rio Sumagaysay, one of Thailand-based Ilonggos who experienced the tremor, shared how fear struck him the moment the strong earthquake jolted Bangkok. 

Sumagaysay is a native of Zarraga town, Province of Iloilo who works as a teacher in Thailand.

He said that he was in the faculty room when the earthquake struck.

He said that while he knows what to do, fear was also very strong at that moment.

“Suddenly naramdaman namin ang lindol sa third floor ng building and ang classes ongoing sa fourth floor. Immediately, nagdala kami ng mga mahahalagang gamit at bumaba,” Sumagaysay narrated.

As of posting time, Sumagaysay has not returned yet to the condominium unit he has been staying because of the destruction left by the quake.

In the latest data of the Department of Foreign Afairs, four Filipinos have been reported missing in Myanmar.  

The Public Employment Service Office (PESO)-Iloilo and PESO-Iloilo City have monitored on the likelihood of other Ilonggos affected by the strong earthquake.

“Nagco-coordinate kami with the Department of Migrant Workers at nagtatanong kung may update ang mga ahensyang nagbibigay ng info. But as of now, wala pa naman,” Cynthia Dario, head of PESO-Iloilo Province, said.

As for Gab Umadhay, head of PESO-Iloilo City, he said there are two options.

“May two options dyan. One, i-repatriate siya or kung kailangan niya ng tulong. Pagdating dito, may ibinibigay tayong assistance. Pinapapasok sa social welfare programs natin,” Umadhay said.

As for the concern on whether structures in Iloilo City would be able to withstand a quake of such magnitude, the Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) said preparations have been in place such as compliance with the National Building Code and that structures are liquefaction resistant.

“Ang lahat na high-rise buildings na itinatayo sa city, specifically ang dito sa area ng Mandurriao at city proper have already prepared their structures to withstand sa isang higher than a magnitude 7 na earthquake,” Darwin Papa, head of the Disaster Response of Iloilo City DRRMO.