MANILA, Philippines – The Myanmar government is now in the stage of identifying the retrieved remains of victims buried in the rubble caused by the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that rocked the country last month.
In a media interview, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Usec. Eduardo de Vega gave the sad news, saying that the Myanmar authorities “do not think of the possibility that there will be more survivors found.”
As for Filipinos reported missing due to the quake, De Vega said that Myanmar authorities have already obtained DNA samples from two corpses believed to be “the two Filipino spouses”.
According to De Vega, the team from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), who flew to Myanmar as part of the humanitarian mission, is already checking with the samples obtained from family members, if it will be a match with that of the two corpses.
“Now there are traces of DNA obtained, there are obtained from two corpses that may have been the two Filipino spouses. Before these corpses were cremated and the NBI team is now checking it with the samples obtained, before they were cremated, they took some hair, possibly tooth or what, so they’re checking it with the DNA samples provided by the next of kin,” De Vega said.
He reiterated that as of now, there is “no absolute confirmation yet” on the remains of the Filipinos reported missing in Mynmar.
Meanwhile, De Vega confirmed that the humanitarian contingent is already “on the ground” in Mandalay and is working on assisting with the search and retrieval efforts.
He also said that the Philippine Embassy in Yangon has already brought approximately 15 Filipinos from Mandalay to Yangon, particularly those severely affected by the earthquake.
"We’re already well in the process of bringing Filipinos from Mandalay [in] Yangon, so at least I would say by now 15 have been brought— not all by Embassy, but some by their own employers, school or whatever,” De Vega mentioned.
De Vega assured the public that the humanitarian contingent is doing the best they can in Mandalay, while the DFA is sending a small team to assist the Philippine Embassy, as he pointed out that they are also already overwhelmed with the task at hand.
The team is set to fly to Myanmar tomorrow, De Vega added.
The Philippine Embassy in Yangon has already facilitated the relocation of 15 Filipinos in Distress last April 3, 2025.
In its advisory posted on its official social media accounts, the embassy announced the transfer of the Filipinos, who requested to be relocated to safety, after the devastating earthquake that hit Myanmar on March 28, 2025.
Meanwhile, the embassy mentioned that it remains open to receive requests for assistance from Filipinos in distress who are affected by the 7.7 magnitude quake that hit the country.
“Those in Mandalay in need of assistance may reach out to the ATN hotline at +959985210991 or contact their designated Filipino coordinators,” the DFA added.
The DFA assured the affected Filipinos and their families that they will extend all the assistance and support that they can give in securing their safety, as well as search for those who are still unaccounted for.
