US envoy pays homage to 'Yolanda' casualties

THE United States government has joined the country in honoring those who perished when Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) unleashed its wrath in central Philippines three years ago.

US Embassy Manila Deputy Chief of Mission Michael Klecheski said it is a privilege of the US government to “express solidarity and partnership” with survivors of the country’s strongest typhoon.

“I speak for all Americans, to say that we are here with you and that everyone knew what happened and we have been trying to be supportive as much as we can. We are great partners and we are going to continue that,” Klecheski said.

The US embassy official graced the wreath-laying ceremony and mass late Monday afternoon to remember more than 2,000 typhoon victims buried in a common grave at the Holy Cross cemetery, Basper village, this city.

The mass is the final resting place of the 2,273 casualties of the monster typhoon.

Mayor Cristina Romualdez said the people of Tacloban are very honored for the presence of a US envoy, who paid respects to the Yolanda victims.

“Just keep holding on, keep your hope in the Lord, just keep moving forward and pray for a brighter future for all of us,” Romualdez said.

Hundreds of survivors flocked to the burial place to pull out weeds, put tombstones, and offered flowers to their departed loved ones.

Crisanta Napoles, 61, was one of the many who brought flowers and candles to the mass grave site for her late husband, Jose, who was killed by tsunami-like waves.

“Even though I am all alone now, I pray that his soul will rest in peace. Attending the mass is my way of mourning for his and remembering what he did to our family,” the teary-eyed Napoles said. (PNA)