While there are no reported Filipinos hurt in the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that rocked Myanmar and Thailand, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega expressed the Philippine government’s condolences to those who died in the recent calamity.
Rescuers search for victims at the site of a high-rise building under construction that collapsed after a strong earthquake in Bangkok, Thailand, early Saturday, March 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn)
In an interview over Radyo Pilipinas on Saturday, March 29, the DFA official cited Philippine diplomats who reported no Filipino casualties yet in the massive earthquake on Friday.
“Nakikiramay tayo sa ating mga kaibigan from Myanmar at Thailand. Tinitingnan natin kung may pangangailangan sila (We condole with our friends from Myanmar and Thailand. We are looking at what their needs are),” he said.
“So far, walang Pilipino (there are no Filipinos), according to the (our) ambassadors natin, walang Pilipinong (there are no Filipinos) reported hurt or injured. So magandang balita po yon (that’s good news),” the official added.
De Vega said there are 600 Filipinos in Myanmar and 29,000 in Thailand.
“Ang ating embassy ay nakikipag-ugayan sa mga liders, wala pong affected (Our embassies are coordinating with the leaders, there are no affected)
or they are being asked to remain vigilant kasi meron mga aftershocks (because there are aftershocks),” he stated.
The Philippine Embassy in Bangkok earlier reported a “strong earthquake” in Thailand’s northern and central regions, including Bangkok, at around 1:20 p.m. on Friday, March 28.
“The Embassy advises Filipinos in Thailand to remain calm and vigilant, as well as monitor updates from credible and verifiable sources of information,” an advisory from the embassy said.
In another advisory by the Philippine Embassy in Myanmar, it assured Filipinos there that it “is gathering current and credible information on the status of all affected Filipinos in Myanmar in order to determine resources necessary to assist them, including the deployment of a team on the ground to conduct welfare checks on them.”
“Those who require relocation or repatriation will also be assessed and assisted,” it added.
Filipinos needing assistance may contact the embassy in Bangkok through the Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) hotline +66 81 989 7116 or through email bangkok.pe@dfa.gov.ph.
Those in Myanmar can reach the embassy through the ATN hotline +95 998 521 0991 or the official Philippine Embassy in Myanmar Facebook Messenger.
Foreign media reports that there are now over 1,000 casualties in Myanmar, while 10 have reportedly died in neighboring Thailand with dozens missing.