Six Cebuanos are reportedly missing in Christchurch, New Zealand, after a strong earthquake hit the country. Their families said the 6 Filipinos are trapped inside a building. Ethel Uy, an aunt of one of the victims, called up ABS-CBN News to report the incident. She relayed the story on how her niece, Rhea Mae Sumalpong, was trapped inside the building.
"The last time we talked was at 9 a.m. last Tuesday. When I heard about the earthquake in New Zealand, I tried contacting her. But her phone can't be reached. One of their companions was able to text us that they're trapped in the building and they need to be rescued," she said. The other nurses who were trapped are John Kristoffer Chua, Emmabelle Anoba, Jewel Francisco, Ezra Mae Medalle, Jessie Lloyd Redoble.
They went to New Zealand to study and get accreditation as registered nurses. They were studying under Kings Unlimited, which was located inside the Canterbury Television Building. In a video interview with ABS-CBN News Cebu, the parents of Rhea Mae, who are based in Australia, said their daughter’s foot is fractured and she can hardly move.
"That's what I’m asking now from Sto. Niño, that she'll be safe," Marlyn Sumalpong said.The mother of Emmabelle, is worried. She hasn't slept the entire night while monitoring the situation in New Zealand. "I can't sleep. I’m always thinking. I'm worried about my child. It’s just her second day there," she said.
The victims’ families urged the Philippine government to help them and pressure the rescuers in New Zealand to continue the rescue operations. According to the families, the rescue operations have stopped due to the dangerous situation in the area.
"It’s not true that there are no Filipinos in the earthquake. I hope the government sees this, thus making it clear that there are Filipinos trapped in the building and they need help," Ethel Uy said.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/02/24/11/6-cebuanos-trapped-nz-building
"The last time we talked was at 9 a.m. last Tuesday. When I heard about the earthquake in New Zealand, I tried contacting her. But her phone can't be reached. One of their companions was able to text us that they're trapped in the building and they need to be rescued," she said. The other nurses who were trapped are John Kristoffer Chua, Emmabelle Anoba, Jewel Francisco, Ezra Mae Medalle, Jessie Lloyd Redoble.
They went to New Zealand to study and get accreditation as registered nurses. They were studying under Kings Unlimited, which was located inside the Canterbury Television Building. In a video interview with ABS-CBN News Cebu, the parents of Rhea Mae, who are based in Australia, said their daughter’s foot is fractured and she can hardly move.
"That's what I’m asking now from Sto. Niño, that she'll be safe," Marlyn Sumalpong said.The mother of Emmabelle, is worried. She hasn't slept the entire night while monitoring the situation in New Zealand. "I can't sleep. I’m always thinking. I'm worried about my child. It’s just her second day there," she said.
The victims’ families urged the Philippine government to help them and pressure the rescuers in New Zealand to continue the rescue operations. According to the families, the rescue operations have stopped due to the dangerous situation in the area.
"It’s not true that there are no Filipinos in the earthquake. I hope the government sees this, thus making it clear that there are Filipinos trapped in the building and they need help," Ethel Uy said.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/02/24/11/6-cebuanos-trapped-nz-building
