Malaysia Airlines MH17 crash: 3 Filipinos - mum and 2 kids - were on board

A "Pray for MH17" message is displayed on a flight information board at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang on July 18, 2014. The three Filipinos on board the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 which was shot down over eastern Ukraine were a
A "Pray for MH17" message is displayed on a flight information board at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang on July 18, 2014. The three Filipinos on board the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 which was shot down over eastern Ukraine were a mother and her two children: a teenage son and an adult daughter, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said on Friday. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

MANILA - The three Filipinos on board the Malaysia Airlines plane shot down over eastern Ukraine were a mother and her two children: a teenage son and an adult daughter, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said on Friday.

The department identified the victims as Ms Irene Gunawan, 54, and her daughter, Sherryl Shania, 20; and Darryl Dwight 15.

Mr Charles Jose, the department's spokesman, said in a news briefing the three Filipinos were living in the Netherlands, but still had Philippine passports. They were heading to Kuala Lumpur from Amsterdam, he said.

He declined to comment on unconfirmed reports that the son was a disc jockey while the daughter was a flight attendant.

President Benigno Aquino said, meanwhile, that the Philippines "is one with the international community in calling for the thorough and swift inquiry on this incident".

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) said its planes do not fly over "that war zone".

"Our B777-300ER is much longer range, and need not risk flying there for our London flight," PAL president Ramon Ang said.

rdancel@sph.com.sg

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