Gov't offers sympathy, support to families of Beirut blast casualties
The government has offered sympathies and support for the families of the Filipinos who perished in the massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon.
"Nakikiramay kami sa pamilya ng mga kababayan natin, yung mga namatay (We offer our condolences to the families of our countrymen who died)," Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said during an online media forum Wednesday.

(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
"Doon naman sa injured ay makakaasa kayo tutulong ang gobyerno sa inyo (To those injured, you can be assured of the government's assistance)," he added.
Nograles said he would defer to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to make the proper announcement on the matter.
Two Filipinos were reported among the dozens killed in the powerful blast that ripped through the port of the Lebanese capital and nearby areas last Tuesday. Eight Filipinos were reported injured from the explosion. Twelve others are reported missing.
Lebanese authorities have reportedly linked the powerful explosion to a warehouse storing confiscated ammonium nitrate at the port. The disaster reportedly left 100 people dead and 4,000 others injured.