Malacañang condoles with family of 2 Filipinos killed in Japan tsunami

Malacañang on Tuesday extended its sympathies to the family of the two Filipino nationals killed in the tsunami that hit Japan on March 11. “We’d like to express our sympathies to the family, to those who are left behind," deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a press briefing on Tuesday. The fatalities were identified as Grace Agnes Oprecio-Hiruta, 45, and her daughter Maria, 12. Their identities were confirmed by Oprecio-Hiruta’s Japanese husband. “Unfortunate po talaga na may dalawa po tayong kababayan na nasama dun sa trahedya," Valte added. She said it was not yet clear if Oprecio-Hiruta’s family in Paranaque City will go to Japan or if the remains of the victims will be brought to the Philippines. “The DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) said they have already contacted the loved ones of the two victims and I know that they will render assistance. Whether that assistance will extend to repatriating the remains or for the family to go to Japan is unclear as of the moment," she said. Philippine ambassador to Japan Manolo Lopez earlier said at least 40 more Filipinos are still unaccounted for in the quake-and tsunami-hit areas. – VVP, GMA News