MANILA, Philippines–Sen. Joel Villanueva on Thursday appealed to the public, concerned government agencies and embassies to help missing Filipina and Jesus is Lord (JIL) member Ligaya Moore, who was among those believed displaced by a fire that engulfed the 24-storey Grenfell Tower in London early Wednesday.
“Ang appeal natin ay kung maaari tayong makahingi ng tulong sa ating mga kababayan (Our appeal is, if it is possible, we want to ask help from our fellow citizens) We are also in coordination with the embassy,” Villanueva told reporters in an interview.
Villanueva, son of JIL leader Eddie Villanueva, said that the JIL church where Moore was staying in was adjacent to the building where the fire happened.
He, however, said members of their church group were having difficulty finding out where she is.
“Until now we are having a hard time looking for her whereabouts. We have already informed our embassy, and hopefully makatulong ito, tayo, in finding Nanay Ligaya Moore (we can help in finding Nanay Ligaya Moore),” he said.
“I was just informed that she is missing, so the members of the Church reached out and asked for help,” the senator added.
He said that Moore was around 60-years-old and lived by herself in London.
The neophyte senator said that they have tried calling a Filipina nurse in the hospital where victims were brought but no updates on Moore’s whereabouts were given.
He, meanwhile, expressed hope that Moore was safe.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said a number of injured Filipinos have already been taken to the hospital.
It also assured that the embassy was closely monitoring the situation there.
To date, at least 17 people have reportedly been killed in the fire.
Early Thursday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday said it has not received report of any Filipino fatality in a massive fire that struck a high-rise apartment building in London.
“A number of fatalities have been reported. At the moment, however, there is no report of Filipino fatalities,” the DFA said in a statement.
It said the identities of the fatalities will only be known once the authorities release details.
The Philippine Embassy in London reported that a number of Filipinos were among those hurt in the fire and were taken to the hospital.
“Several Filipinos and Filipino-Britons affected by the fire are now in hospital and in shelters/evacuation centers,” the DFA said.
The Embassy is closely coordinating with authorities and community leaders.
“The Embassy is ready to extend assistance if necessary and is continuing to monitor the situation,” it added.
A huge fire engulfed Grenfell Tower, a 27-storey council housing estate with 120 homes, in north Kensington early Wednesday.
The cause of the fire remains unknown at this time. (Leslie D. Venzon/PNA)
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