The Philippines stands ready to extend assistance to Morocco after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit the country, claiming around 2,800 lives
President Marcos made the statement as he expressed his sympathy for Morocco and its people.
“The Philippines is ready to offer assistance and any support that may be needed for the swift recovery of your nation,” Marcos said on his official X account, formerly called twitter, a few days after the deadly earthquake struck southwest of Marrakech in Morocco.
He said the Philippines and the Filipino people have faith in the strength and resilience of the Moroccan people “to unite and rebuild in the face of such adversity” as he extended prayers to the affected families.
“The Filipino people are deeply saddened to learn of the devastating 6.8-magnitude earthquake that has tragically claimed over 2,000 lives in Morocco," Marcos said.
"We stand in grief and solidarity with you, and our prayers go to the families affected by this tragedy,” Marcos added.
Morocco’s interior ministry reported that the death toll of the earthquake has already reached 2,862, with 2,562 people injured.
In a television interview, Philippine Ambassador to Morocco Leslie Baja said no Filipino casualties were recorded as she believed that they “went out of their houses and apartments to the streets to seek safety” when the earthquake struck.
There are around 4,600 Filipinos in Morocco, according to Baja.
Baja said they will closely coordinate with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to extend any assistance to Filipinos, noting that the Philippine embassy immediately contacted area coordinators to check on their condition in Morocco after the earthquake struck.