10 Filipino Boston Marathon participants safe - DFA

MANILA, Philippines - No Filipinos were hurt during the twin bombings at the Boston Marathon, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Tuesday.

"Meron na tayong mga reports na galing sa ating konsulada sa New York at ang sabi po ni Consul General de Leon na so far wala tayong reported Filipino causalities sa pagbombang nangyari po sa Boston," DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez said in a radio interview.

Hernandez said the DFA is still waiting for updates from Boston authorities and its Filipino contacts regarding the explosion that occurred near the finish line of the oldest running event in the US.

"They are still conducting, the police, the Boston police pati na rin po mga hospitals at yung mga Filipino contacts at yung Boston Athletic Association para alamin kung merong mga Filipino na nadamay doon sa pagsabog na nangyari dun sa Boston," he added.

Hernandez said that the 10 Filipino runners who joined the Boston Marathon are all safe.

"May sampung Filipino participants doon sa marathon at nakausap nila yung isa I think si Arland Macasaeb at sinabi po ni Macasaeb na sila ay ligtas so as far as the participants are concerned, walang nasugatan o nasaktan o nadamay doon sa pagsabog sa Boston," he said.

The DFA is continuously coordinating with and getting updates from the Philippine embassy in Washington and Consulate in New York regarding the incident, which left three persons dead, including an eight year old child, and more than 130 people injured.

Malacañang said in a statement that President Benigno Aquino III "personally conveys a message of deep sympathy, concern, and solidarity with the people of Boston, where he and his family had found refuge during martial law, and which so many Filipinos call home."

"Boston is a city of bravery, openness, and liberty: this tragedy will not change these essential truths, and points of pride, for this great city," Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a statement.