Pinay killed in Samoan quake

A 62-year-old Filipina was among the fatalities in the tsunamis that hit the Samoan Islands, the foreign affairs department said Friday.

DFA Spokesman Ed Malaya identified the Filipina as Gudofreda Palma, an immigrant in Pago Pago, Samao.

"We have received report that a Filipina, a 62-year-old immigrant in Pago-pago, Samoa named Gudofreda Palma died during the quake last September 30,” Malaya said in a phone interview with ANC.

Malaya said the government is now working to repatriate the remains of the victim.

“The Consulate in Honolulu headed by Consul General Cardenas is coordinating the repatriation of the remains,” said Malaya.

He added that Palma has no relatives in Samoa.

“Although some community leaders in the area are assisting us in taking care of the remains, and in the eventual repatriation of those remains to the Philippines, specifically to her native province of Mindanao, in Dipolog City, Zambo del Norte.

Nearly 200 people died in the quakes and tsunamis that struck Samoa, with hundreds still missing.

Food, water, and medicine for victims have arrived from the US, Australia, and New Zealand but aid groups are still in need of medical personnel.