MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / July 18, 2014) – The Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines said it has identified the three Filipinos who were among those killed in the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 that was shot down by a missile over Ukraine.
It named the Filipino passengers as Irene Gunawan and her children Sheryl Shania and Darryl Dwight.
In a statement, the DFA said: “The Philippines condemns in the strongest manner the recent shooting down of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 over Ukraine. We convey our profound condolences for all who perished in this tragedy. It is of utmost importance that the international community come together to help determine those who are responsible for this brutal act against a civilian airliner in civilian airspace.”
“Those responsible should be made fully accountable for this unconscionable assault on a non-military aircraft that posed no threat whatsoever to any party. It is, furthermore, essential that the international community take concerted action to help reduce such tragedies all around the world. States and non-state elements in dispute should exercise restraint, respect international law, and search for the peaceful resolution of disputes.”
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte and Herminio Coloma, of the Presidential Communications Operations Office, earlier said the Aquino government was closely coordinating with Malaysian and Ukraine authorities to identify the three Filipinos in the flight. It had 298 people on board.
Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 was flying in eastern Ukraine on a flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it was hit by a missile fired by pro-Russian rebels, according to reports.
The Philippine government has earlier expressed its sympathies to the families of the victims. “The Philippines joins the entire global community in expressing its deepest sympathies” to the families of the 298 people on board,” Coloma said. (Mindanao Examiner)
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