DFA: No Filipino hurt in wake of Russia earthquake
No Filipinos were hurt after the Magnitude 8.8 earthquake that struck Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs has said.
DFA Assistant Secretary Robert Ferrer said that they are monitoring the situation in the areas that raised tsunami alerts following the tremor.
'Ang affected ng tsunami alerts ay of course eastern coast of Russia, Kamchatka Peninsula, yung ating Filipinos in Hawaii, yung ating Filipinos in New Zealand, and west coast of the United States,' said Ferrer in a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing.
(The areas affected by the tsunami alerts are, of course, the eastern coast of Russia, the Kamchatka Peninsula, our Filipinos in Hawaii, our Filipinos in New Zealand, and the west coast of the United States.)
'But as I speak to you now, bumaba na po yung mga tsunami alert levels, so hindi na po dangerous. Yung pinakamatinding tinamaan ng tsunami is yung eastern coast of Kamchatka Peninsula, where we have seven Filipinos in that area. So kinontact na po ng embahada natin sa Moscow ang mga Filipinos at walang tayong balitang may nasaktan o nasawi, buti na lang,' he added.
(As I speak to you now, the tsunami alert levels have been lowered, so it's no longer dangerous. The eastern coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula was hit the hardest by the tsunami, and we have seven Filipinos in that area. Our embassy in Moscow has already contacted these Filipinos, and thankfully, we have no reports of injuries or fatalities.)
The DFA advised Filipinos abroad to always heed the advisories issued by the Philippine embassies.
In the Philippines, the state seismic bureau, PHIVOLCS, issued tsunami warnings in over 20 provinces, particularly coastal areas on the eastern side of the country facing the Pacific Ocean. But it was eventually lifted after state seismologists did not notice any sea level disturbances. –NB, GMA Integrated News
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
GMA Network
a day ago
- GMA Network
AI use in PH classrooms must fit students' needs —solon
Some things must be considered first before artificial intelligence (AI) can be integrated into the classrooms, said House Basic Education and Culture Committee chairperson Roman Romulo. While AI can be an effective learning tool, Romulo said that it's important for students to develop their critical thinking. 'May advantages siya, but before we implement it fully kailangan natin pagaralan kung ano yung tamang level at kung sino yung mga estudyante na kailangan natin bigyan ng AI. Kasi mayroon ng mga pagaaral, although preliminary po yun, may lumabas na pagaaral I think from schools in Boston na sinasabi nga nila hindi naman wholesale ibigay natin yung AI sa lahat o yung technology,' he said in an interview with Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon on Friday. (It has its benefits, but before we roll it out completely, we need to carefully consider the appropriate level and which students truly need AI. There are already studies, though preliminary, I think from schools in Boston, that suggest we shouldn't just give AI or the technology to everyone wholesale.) 'Kasi maganda pa rin na nadedevelop yung learner o yung bata yung traditional way of learning. Nahahasa din papunta siyang critical thinking, kailangan talaga pinagiisipan niya yung bawat bagay,' Romulo added. (It's still beneficial for learners and children to develop using traditional learning methods. This also sharpens their critical thinking skills, requiring them to genuinely ponder every detail.) The latest Philippine Statistics Authority study showed that more than 1 in 5 Filipinos aged 10 to 64 have difficulty comprehending what they read—despite being able to read, write, and compute. National Statistician Claire Dennis Mapa said the basic literacy rate — the share of people who can read, write, and compute — is 93.1%, but only 70.8% are considered functionally literate, meaning they can also comprehend. In his fourth State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. highlighted concerns in the education system, including literacy. 'May value talaga ang AI. Pero hindi siya pwedeng wholesale for now, one size does not fit all. Kailangan natin ma-tailor fit yung pagintroduce ng technology, pag-introduce ng AI depending po sa sitwasyon para responsible din yung paggamit ng mga developments na ito,' said Romulo. (AI truly has value. However, it can't be a wholesale solution for now; one size doesn't fit all. We need to tailor the introduction of this technology and AI depending on the situation, ensuring responsible use of these developments.) 'Pero naniniwala ako, the moment ma-full throttle at effective na ito na ginagawa ng DepEd natin, nakatutok na sa functional literacy, the computer technology will be used in the right way,' he added, referring to the Department of Education's ARAL Program which offers free tutorials and interventions to students struggling with reading, mathematics, and science. (But I believe the moment our DepEd fully and effectively implements this focus on functional literacy, computer technology will be used in the right way.) —Vince Angelo Ferreras/LDF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
a day ago
- GMA Network
Banning online gambling must be studied thoroughly, says Palace
Malacañang on Friday said banning online gambling should be studied thoroughly, including its possible impacts to the country. During a press conference, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said this matter should be studied carefully as this may affect even the licensed ones. She was reacting to the question about President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. skipping online gambling during his fourth State of the Nation Address. ''So, dapat ito aralin mabuti ano ba ang dapat gawin dahil kapag nga tinanggal natin talaga agad-agad ang online gambling at maapektuhan naman iyong ibang mga lisensiyado, makakaapekto ba ito sa tulong sa bayan, sa tulong sa mga estudyante, sa tulong sa mga Pilipino? So, hindi po puwedeng magpadalus-dalos ang Pangulo dito. Dapat aralin po dahil sa totoo lamang po ang mga revenue po na ibinibigay ng lisensiyado na online gambling ay nakakapagbigay talaga ng tulong sa mamamayan,'' Castro said. (This should be studied carefully because if we remove this, those licensed ones will be affected and we have to determine if this will affect the assistance to the nation, to students, and to all Filipinos. So, the President cannot just decide on this. This should be studied as the revenues from licensed online gambling operations are helping the citizens.) ''So, dapat pong aralin at hindi po dapat na ora-orada at mag-uutos agad na tanggalin agad iyan, dapat inaaral po iyan. Iyang ganiyan po kasi, ang gusto ng Pangulo ay inaaral bago magpadalus-dalos sa aksiyon,'' she added. (This should be studied and it's not right to just prohibit this, this should be studied.) The Senate is set to hold an investigation regarding online gambling in the country, as announced by Senator Erwin Tulfo, chairman of the Senate games and amusement committee. Several other lawmakers have also called either for the total ban or strict regulation of online gambling, citing its negative impact on Filipinos who got addicted to it. PAGCOR Chairman Alejandro Tengco earlier noted that the gaming industry regulator recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ad Standards Council (ASC) to strengthen the monitoring of gambling-related advertisements across all platforms. It also recently ordered the takedown of all gambling ads in public spaces and primetime TV by August 15 this year. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
a day ago
- GMA Network
Veteran career diplomat Escalona is new DFA spox
Veteran career diplomat Angelica Escalona, who was educated in Japan and Australia, is the new spokesperson of the Department of Foreign Affairs. Escalona, who was introduced to the media Friday by Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro, will replace Teresita Daza, who served as DFA spokesperson under former Secretary Enrique Manalo. "We commit to provide you with timely, accurate and clear information," said Escalona. New DFA spox Angelica Escalona/Photo by Michaela Del Callar The 53-year-old career diplomat will serve as the face of the DFA at a delicate time when the Philippines is handling complex geopolitical issues like its strained relations with China and its treaty alliance with the United States. The two are regional rivals. A career diplomat since 1996, Escalona has served in various capacities at the DFA, including as Executive Director of the Office of Consular Affairs and Director of the Offices handling ASEAN, European, Asian, and American Affairs. She has represented the Philippines in key posts, most recently as Consul General in Toronto, Canada from 2023 to June 2025, as well as in Indonesia, Japan, and the US. Her work has earned her multiple honors, including the Gawad Mabini – Dakilang Kasugo and awards from the Indonesian government. Escalona, who speaks fluent Japanese, holds a Master's degree in Foreign Affairs and Trade from Monash University in Australia and a Bachelor's degree in International Relations from Tsukuba University in Japan. "The Department warmly welcomes Spokesperson Angelica Escalona as she takes on this vital role," the DFA said in a statement. — Michaela Del Callar/RSJ, GMA Integrated News
