Diocese of Surigao offers prayers, sympathy to quake victims

MANILA –The Diocese of Surigao expressed sympathy to the victims of the 6.7-magnitude earthquake that shook Surigao City Friday night.

With this, Fr. Bob Puracan, Chancellor, Diocese of Surigao assured that they are praying for them.

“The Diocese of Surigao sympathizes with all the casualties of the calamity. We assured them of our prayers,” he said in an article posted on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) news website.

Likewise, the Catholic priest urged the people of Surigao City to be cautious of their surroundings.

“We ask our fellow Surigaonons to be more vigilant and sensitive since we are still experiencing aftershocks. Let us beg for God’s protection and guidance as we face this trying moments,” Puracan said.

“In all of these, we still thank the good Lord, for keeping us safe despite of what happened. “Perhaps a good reminder for all of us, not just for the Surigaonons, of our human limitations,” he added.

At the same time, the official of the Surigao Diocese reported that they see no major damage on the parish church, adding that there is no water and electricity.

“Pero as far as the diocese is concerned, wala naman major damages sa mga simbahan and other structures. Sa seminary meron konting cracks na nakita sa hagdan at sa chapel pero hindi naman sya ganun kalaking damage. Ganun din sa cathedral we can say minor damage lang,” he said.

“Seconds lang yung quake eh… mabilis lang pero sobrang lakas,” the clergy member added.

Puracan added that after the tremor, some people went to the pastoral center where they stayed for the night.

“Kagabi after the quake maraming tao nagpunta dito sa pastoral center and we accommodated them… they stayed here the whole night. natakot kasi sila baka magkaron tsunami so dito sila nag stay,” he said.

Puracan said that there are no reported damage in other churches and parishes in the diocese.

There are 32 parishes and 32 churches under the Surigao Diocese.

At least six people were killed while more than 120 were wounded after the earthquake hit the city at 10:03 pm on Friday.