I urge the media not to speculate on the outcome of ongoing negotiations to secure the safe release of Filipino hostages Angelito Nayan in Kabul, Afghanistan and Robert Tarongoy in Baghdad, Iraq.

We owe it to the families, friends and loved ones of these two Filipinos to continue to observe information restraint in light of current coordinated efforts to help them come home. Undue speculations in the media on the nature of the negotiations and possible outcome of these two incidents are not helpful to anyone, especially to our two compatriots.

Let me reiterate that the information void, particularly in the case of Angelito Nayan, is in keeping with the request of the United Nations for all affected parties to maintain a low profile while negotiations are going on.

The DFA has not said that the prospects for the release of these two hostages are bleak, as reported in the press. The officials assigned to coordinate action on the ground in both Kabul and Baghdad, namely Undersecretaries Jose Brillantes and Rafael Seguis, respectively, are doing their utmost best, in spite of threats to their own personal safety, to accomplish their mission.

Negotiations are still ongoing and we urge everyone to continue to hope and pray for our two kababayans to come home safely and soon.  END.