No Pinoy casualties in New Zealand quake

No Filipino has been reported to be among the casualties in a strong earthquake that hit New Zealand Tuesday morning (Manila time).

Philippine consul general to New Zealand Marcos Punsalang said they are monitoring the situation especially in Christchurch City, where the quake occurred.

"Wala kaming natatanggap na balita kung may nasaktan o namatay na Pilipino. Sana tuluyan ganito po (We have not received any report of any Filipino casualty so far. We hope this is the case)," Punsalang said in an interview on dzBB radio.

He said there are at least 2,000 Filipinos in Christchurch.

Punsalang said he has asked the Honorary Philippine Consul to Christchurch Edric Peter Wait to monitor the situation on the ground.

"According sa pulis, medyo we expect multiple casualties. Bagama't ang quake during lunch, maraming gumuhong buildings (Police expect multiple casualties. The quake occurred at lunchtime, many buildings reportedly collapsed)," he said.

Christchurch is 500 miles or an hour's drive from the capital of Wellington, where the Philippine Embassy to New Zealand is based.

Punsalang said Tuesday's quake was an aftershock from a magnitude-7.1 quake that hit New Zealand in September 2010.

He said his initial attempts to contact Christchurch via landline failed, indicating power and communication lines there may be down.

"I was able to contact (Wait) through cell phone. Walang power at tubig, problema. Malamang phone lines down (I contacted Wait through mobile phone. There is no power and water there. Phone lines are likely down)," he said.

He said Wait was "badly shaken" and the belongings in his house had fallen down during the quake.

"Sabi namin please monitor the situation (I asked him to please monitor the situation)," he said.

source: gma