Dubai: The Philippines ambassador to Lebanon, Bernardita Catalla, died of complications from the new coronavirus Thursday, the Philippines said.
A career diplomat for 27 years, service to the country has been the hallmark of Ambassador Catalla’s distinguished foreign service career, the official statement said.
Catalla, 62, served in key posts like Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta and was Passport Director where she delivered frontline service to millions of Filipinos.
Prior to her assignment in Lebanon, she was Consul General in Hong Kong, looking over the welfare of hundreds of thousands of overseas Filipinos. Since December 2019, she spearheaded the voluntary mass repatriation program of the Philippine Embassy in Beirut.
"Bernie, as Ambassador Catalla was fondly called, has always lent a helping hand, to her family, friends and colleagues. Her ever ready smile and infectious laughter may have been extinguished but her dedication to our country will always be there as a guiding light for all members of the Philippine foreign service," the statement said.
Lebanon has recorded 479 infected cases, and 14 deaths.
