MANILA, July 7 — Malacañang on Friday assured full government support to the victims of the powerful earthquake that hit Leyte and Tacloban City Thursday even as it extended its condolences to the families of the fatalities.
“We stand with the people of Leyte. We condole with those who have lost their loved ones and we continue to stand with those who have loved ones who have been hurt,” Presidential Spokesperson said during a Palace briefing.
He said that all efforts are being undertaken to bring the necessary support to the quake survivors and assured that government will do everything it can to bring stability in the area as soon as possible.
“The administration is deploying all available resources to rescue survivors and to return normalcy to the place. We continue to call on the resilient spirit of the Filipino to close ranks against the vicissitudes confronting our people. No matter what, we will rise again and we will rise into our destined greatness,” Abella said.
On Thursday, a magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck southwest of Jaro, Leyte at 4:03 p.m.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the quake hit 8 kilometers off Jaro, Leyte at a depth of 2 kilometers.
Authorities said at least two people were killed while at least 72 others were injured from the strong earthquake that was also felt in nearby provinces.
The two fatalities were an 18-year-old woman who was hit by falling debris in Ormoc City in Leyte, while one body was retrieved from the collapsed building in Kananga which was near the epicenter of the quake.
Authorities reported that the earthquake also damaged houses, schools and highways and caused landslides. (Cieltio M. Reganit/PNA)
