MANILA -- Senator Joel Villanueva on Thursday appealed to the public, concerned government agencies and embassies to help find the missing Filipina Ligaya Moore, who was among those believed displaced by a fire that engulfed the 24-storey Grenfell Tower in London early Wednesday.
“Ang appeal natin ay kung maaari tayong makahingi ng tulong sa ating mga kababayan (Our appeal is, if it is possible, we want to ask help from our fellow citizens) We are also in coordination with the embassy,” Villanueva told reporters in an interview.
Villanueva, son of Jesus is Lord (JIL) leader Eddie Villanueva, said that the JIL church where Moore, a member, was staying in was adjacent to the building where the fire happened.
He, however, said members of their church group were having difficulty finding out where she is.
“Until now we are having a hard time looking for her whereabouts. We have already informed our embassy, and hopefully makatulong ito, tayo, in finding Nanay Ligaya Moore (we can help in finding Nanay Ligaya Moore),” he said.
“I was just informed that she is missing, so the members of the Church reached out and asked for help,” the senator added.
He said that Moore is around 60 years old and lives by herself in London.
The neophyte senator said that they have tried calling a Filipina nurse in the hospital where victims were brought but no updates on Moore’s whereabouts were given.
He, meanwhile, expressed hope that Moore was safe.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said a number of injured Filipinos have already been taken to the hospital.
It also assured that the embassy was closely monitoring the situation there.
To date, at least 17 people have reportedly been killed in the fire. (PNA)