Pinoys abroad warned vs. donation scams for 'Sendong' victims

In the United Arab Emirates, Consul General Benito Valeriano particularly warned against new Facebook and Twitter accounts soliciting such donations. "They can always send their donations to the Philippine ...  Red Cross (PRC). If there's any official advisory from the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila regarding this matter, we will let the public know," Valeriano said in an interview posted Monday night on Gulf News. Valeriano said Filipino expatriates who wish to give financial assistance to the victims should send it through credible and recognized organizations. Online donations can be made through the website of the PRC, he said. Last weekend, flash floods from Sendong hit several areas in Mindanao and Visayas, particularly devastating Iligan and Cagayan de Oro cities. Nearly 700 had been confirmed killed as of Monday evening. The Gulf News report said the Filipino Community in Dubai and the Northern Emirates (Filcom-DNE), the umbrella organization of 99 groups in the UAE, have begun collecting funds through its member groups for the victims of the devastating storm. "We have requested all heads of Filipino organizations in the UAE to seek assistance from their members who have something extra to give—be it Dh 1, Dh5, or whatever is convenient for them," Alan Bacason, president of Filcom-DNE, told Gulf News. — KBK, GMA News