THE Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday said another Filipino died in the massive wildfires that ravaged Lahaina in Maui, Hawaii.
DFA Undersecretary Jose Eduardo de Vega identified the victim as 76-year-old Rodolfo Rocutan.
Rocutan’s death brought to two the number of Filipinos officially confirmed by the DFA to have perished in the conflagration. The first was 79-year-old Alfredo Galinato, a naturalized US citizen originally from Ilocos.
The DFA is still verifying reports on social media about two more Filipino fatalities in the August 8 fires.
De Vega said Consul General Emilio Hernandez has reached out to Rocutan’s relatives to convey the government’s sympathies and offer assistance, including cremation and repatriation of the remains to Manila.
In a Facebook post, Rocutan’s granddaughter Rhea Rocutan Valenzuela asked for assistance for expenses related to Rodolfo’s burial.
“We are saddened to inform you that we received confirmation that Papa Oppo/Rodolfo/ Rudy Rocutan didn’t make it due to Lahaina Maui wildfire,” she said in her post.
“I humbly ask for your help and support by donating here on GoFundMe for his funeral services and for his immediate family, our ohana, in the Philippines. Big and small amounts will be much appreciated,” she added.
DFA Assistant Secretary Paul Cortes said in a briefing there is a “”high probability” there could be more Filipino or Philippine passport holders who are victims of the wildfires considering the number of Filipinos living and working in Maui, including in Lahaina.
“Very very high po ang probability na may mga Pinoy na maapektuhan dahil sa dami ng mga Pinoy sa Maui (There is a high probability that more Filipinos could be affected due to the number of Filipinos living in Maui),’ he said.
He said Hawaii authorities have reported 114 casualties so far. Around 850 persons remain missing, down from over 2,000, Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen said on Facebook.
De Vega said Maui authorities will release the names and ethnicity of fatalities after they are identified and the next of kin informed.
Cortes said Hawaiian authorities and the Federal Emergency Management Administration are continuing their search operation and identification of those who perished in the wildfires while providing assistance to survivors.
