THE Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu yesterday confirmed the death of another Filipino in the massive wildfires that hit Maui, Hawaii earlier this month.
The consulate said 68-year-old Filipino Rogelio Mabalot is the fourth Filipino confirmed to have perished in the wildfires.
Mabalot is a resident of Lahaina which was ravaged by the deadly wildfires.
The consulate said it was notified by the US Department of State’s Office of Foreign Missions about Mabalot’s death last August 25.
“The Consulate has reached out to Mr. Mabalot’s next of kin and conveyed its deepest sympathies, as well as its full support and assistance,” the consulate said in a statement.
“Our hearts go out to the families and friends affected by this devastating event,” it added.
On Friday, the consulate confirmed the three Filipino casualties in the wildfires namely Alfredo Galinato, Rodolfo Racuman and Salvador Coloma but said it was still verifying the nationality of two other recently reported fatalities — Pablo Pagdilao III, 75, and Coleen Jones, 59.
“Information from social media indicate a certain Pablo Pagdilao of Lahaina as hailing from Ilocos Norte, Philippines,” it added.
On Friday, the consulate said it was also still verifying the nationality of other reported casualties but said that its consular records “yielded negative results” for Conchita Sagudang, 75, and Danilo Sagudang, 55. The deaths were reported on social media by an Edna Sagudang who said her mother and elder brother were among the fatalities.
The consulate said online information also indicates that Antonia Molina, 64, and Carlo Tobias, 54, as having relatives in the Philippines but consular records “also yielded negative results.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs urged relatives of affected Filipinos to contact the consulate at its hotline number +1808 253-9446.
“This is needed for the Consulate to verify its records of reported Filipino casualties or other distressed Filipinos, and to provide assistance as required,” the DFA said.
