The number of Filipinos who died due to the massive wildfires in Maui, Hawaii has risen to four, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Monday.
The Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu said Rogelio Mabalot, a 68-year-old resident of Lahaina in Maui, is the fourth Filipino fatality in the widespread blaze.
The US Department of State – Office of Foreign Missions notified the consulate about Mabalot’s death last Aug. 25.
“The Consulate has reached out to Mr. Mabalot’s next-of-kin and conveyed its deepest sympathies as well as its full support and assistance. Our hearts go out to the families and friends affected by this devastating event,” the consulate said in a statement.
Authorities previously reported that Salvador Coloma, 77; Alfredo Galinato, 79; and Rodolfo Rocutan, 76 were the three Filipinos among more than 100 people who died in the wildfires.
The consulate said it is still verifying the nationality of two other recently reported fatalities: Pablo Pagdilao III, 75, and Coleen Jones, 59. While both yielded negative results in consular records, the consulate said it is still verifying their information.
“Information from social media indicate a certain Pablo Pagdilao of Lahaina as hailing from Ilocos Norte, Philippines,” it added.
The DFA said the consulate needs to verify its records of reported Filipino casualties or other distressed Filipinos to provide assistance as required.
“The DFA urges relatives of affected Filipinos to contact the Consulate at its hotline number +1808-253-944,” it said.