FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 9, 2018
Contact: Jason Tengco, NaFFAA Executive Director
jason.tengco@naffaa.org
Tel. 202-803-1353          

NaFFAA Issues Statement After Shooting in Thousand Oaks, CA

Washington, DC – The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) issued the following statement after the shooting at Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks, CA:

“NaFFAA expresses our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of the victims and survivors of the tragic mass shooting in Thousand Oaks, California,” said Brendan Flores, NaFFAA National Chairman. “As a nation, we have been witness to many acts of unfathomable violence and loss. In the face of understandable anger, confusion, and grief, let us remember and celebrate the lives of those souls that have been lost, including 18-year-old Filipina American student Alaina Punzalan Housley, and Sgt. Ron Helus, the courageous Ventura County Sheriff’s Officer who gave his life in order to save others.”

Noel Omega, NaFFAA Greater Los Angeles Region Chair, added: “Tragedies like this have become too common today, and we must caution against indifference and inaction. Let us come together to remind our elected officials, especially as we enter a new session of Congress, that there must be a focus on mental health wellness, as well as other sensible measures to ensure violence like this does not happen again. Please join me in sending our love, sympathy and support to all affected by this horrific act.”

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) expresses its deepest condolences to the family of Alaina Punzalan Housley, an 18-year-old Filipino American freshman student from Pepperdine University, who was among the 12 people killed in the shooting incident near Los Angeles late Wednesday evening. The information was conveyed to the Department by Consul General Adel Angelito Cruz of the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles, who posted on Facebook, “Deeply saddened to hear that Ms. Alaina Housley, a FilAm freshman at Pepperdine University was among the fatalities in the senseless and brutal mass shooting in Thousand Oaks, California late last night. My deepest condolences and prayers to her family and the families of the other victims of this tragedy…”

The Consulate General continues to monitor developments related to the incident that took place inside a crowded dance bar in Thousand Oaks, California, about 40 minutes west of Los Angeles. Consul General Cruz said the Consulate General is checking with authorities if there are other members of the 25,879 Filipinos and Filipino Americans in Ventura Country who are among the dead or injured in the incident.

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About NaFFAA

The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization. Established in 1997, NaFFAA promotes the welfare and well-being of the 4 million Filipinos and Filipino Americans throughout the United States. NaFFAA’s vision is to serve as the voice of all Filipinos and Filipino Americans by uniting, engaging, and empowering diverse individuals and community organizations through leadership development, civic engagement, and national advocacy.

www.naffaa.org