Injured Pinoys from NY bus crash safe, cleared to travel —DFA

The three Filipino tourists who were among those injured in the bus accident in New York over the weekend have been discharged from the hospital, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Monday.

Citing a report from the Philippine Consulate General in New York, the Filipinos, who reside in Qatar and were on vacation in New York, were already given clearances to travel.

"A consulate representative will meet them to ascertain their needs and ensure their welfare until their scheduled departure," the DFA said in a statement.

In a radio interview, DFA spokesperson Ambassador Angelica Escalona confirmed that the three Filipinos are safe and out of danger.

"Yes, good news po. Good na sila (Yes, it's good news. They are now fine.)," Escalona told Super Radyo dzBB.

Escalona further explained that in incidents abroad, Philippine embassies and consulates immediately coordinate with authorities to check for Filipino casualties. However, in the United States and other parts of North America, strict privacy protocols limit the release of information.

“Ang unang-una kasing nangyayari pag may incidenteng ganito is that ang konsulado or embahada natin kino-contact ang otoridad para malaman kung may Pilipino. Pero dito sa North America tulad ng US, very strict ang privacy protocols nila… Pag na-clear na po at pumayag din yung mga individuals involved, saka po naka-release ng information," she said.

(The first thing that happens in incidents like this is that our consulate or embassy contacts authorities to verify if Filipinos are involved. But here in North America, such as in the US, privacy protocols are very strict… Once cleared and with the consent of the individuals involved, only then is information released.)

The Van Wool Bus and Coach tourist bus, owned by M&Y Tour Inc. of Staten Island, New York, was carrying 54 passengers, including the driver and crew, when it crashed on Interstate 90 while returning to New York City from Niagara Falls.

Five were reported killed and several others were injured in the New York bus crash. — Michaela Del Callar and Sherilyn Untalan/RSJ, GMA Integrated News