No Pinoy Casualty in California Shooting
CALIFORNIA: No Filipinos casualties were reported in a shooting that left at least 14 people dead in San Bernardino, California, a Malacañang spokesman has said.
“So far we have not received reports of Filipinos to be among the victims in the shooting,” Palace spokesman Edwin Lacierda was quoted as saying by Manila Times.
“Our consulates in California are monitoring closely the situation and advising the Filipino community accordingly,” he added.
Meanwhile, Filipinos working around the San Bernardino area where a couple, and its accomplice opened fire at a disability center were shocked by the incident, said the news portal.
Filipino Jasmine Barnes was at a nearby building when three armed people opened fire at the Inland Regional Center, it said.
A San Bernardino county employee, Barnes was at the center herself recently and works with many of the people inside, Manila Times reported.
“We work closely with them. I’m just afraid to ask kung sino yung mga victims. Nakakatakot talaga. I just don’t feel safe sometimes anymore you know. I just pray that God will protect us,” Barnes reportedly said.
While the incident was confined to the Inland Regional Center, most of the surrounding areas were reportedly affected.
Some Filipino women working for a remittance and cargo company just down the street from the incident were quoted as saying that many of their Filipino customers work near and around the Center, the news report said.
“It’s kind of scary for us, even though we are here, but the thing is, it happened just near in this place,” one of the Pinays reportedly said.
Another Pinay commented “Everybody is scared. It’s the first time.”
The latest mass shooting prompted several hours of lock down and closures. After hours of lockdowns, two suspects were shot and killed by officers while a third was apprehended, reported Manila Times.