DFA confirms third Pinoy fatality in Hawaii wildfire

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed yesterday the death of another Filipino due to the wildfires in Hawaii, bringing the total number of verified casualties to three.

“The Philippine consulate general in Honolulu regrets to confirm that another Filipino citizen, Salvador Coloma, 77, was a reported casualty of the fires in Maui,” the DFA said.

The two other confirmed Filipino casualties are Alfredo Galinato and Rodolfo Racunan.

The DFA said the consulate is verifying the nationality of other reported casualties, noting that the consulate’s records yielded negative results for Conchita Sagudang, 75, and Danilo Sagudang, 55.

“There is information online that they are from Abra province. Online information likewise indicates Antonia Molina, 64, and Carlo Tobias, 54, as having relatives in the Philippines. However, the consulate’s records also yielded negative results.”

The DFA said it urges relatives of affected Filipinos to contact the consulate through its hotline number +1808 253-9446, so it can verify its records of reported Filipino casualties or other distressed Filipinos, and to provide assistance as required.