Distinguished DFA officials, fellow officers and staff of the Department,  members of the Media, friends, good afternoon.

It has been more than a week since Annetta, Shqipe and I were released in Kabul by members of the Jaish’ul Muslimeen or Army of Muslims.  During the 26 days of our captivity, the kidnappers did not threaten to kill us, though the three of us expected the worst.

Our release, I believe was the result of the extraordinary, joint efforts between and among different security organizations led by the United Nations, in cooperation with the Philippine and British governments.  I am not really privy to the operations aspect of our recovery.  What I do know, as far as I am concerned, is that no ransom was paid for our release.

At this juncture, please allow me to clarify certain issues: First, I took my oath as Foreign Service Officer (FSO) Class IV on 10 October 2003 with the late Secretary Blas F. Ople.  And YES, I took the highly competitive FSO written exams in July 2002, along with almost 300 examinees who passed the pre-qualifying exams, which had been given earlier.  The oral exams were scheduled in early January 2003.  I formally reported for duty as Principal Assistant with the Office of American Affairs or OAA on 15 October 2003.

Second, and I cannot overemphasize this fact: I requested for my leave of absence without pay effective 28 May 2004 from then Secretary Delia Domingo Albert.  I went through the quite rigorous process of obtaining clearance for my leave and I am forever grateful to the Department for allowing me to be part of the landmark presidential elections in Afghanistan.

I have been working with the United Nations since 1998.  I started as a Junior Consultant for the Social Development Division of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific or ESCAP in Bangkok, Thailand.  My Afghanistan stint was my 2nd UN Mission, after Kosovo in 2000 and my sixth UN assignment ever.

I intend now to focus on my career in the Philippine Foreign Service.

Third, my work in Kabul was a professional appointment by UNDP Afghanistan, through the recommendation of UNDP New York.  I was informed by a UN staff of the opportunity to work in UNDP Afghanistan even before I joined the DFA.  I was likewise aware of the risks involved in going to Afghanistan.

Finally, as I am still undergoing debriefing and voluntary counseling, I requested for a two-week extension of my official leave.  I shall be reporting back to work around mid-December.

Once again, my family and I are extremely grateful to the President, to my Department the DFA, especially to the members of the Crisis Management Team and Team Nayan, to DSWD, OWWA, UNDP-Philippines, Malacañang officials, my batch mates and friends and the Filipino people for the overwhelming support and, as my Aunt puts it, for “storming the gates of heaven” with your prayers.

And finally to you, members of the Philippine Media, thank you for respecting the privacy of my family.  We would like to move on from this harrowing experience.  Let me also reiterate that we should also continue to support the family of Robert Theodore V. Tarongoy and pray for Bobby’s immediate release.  With the permission of my superiors, I am ready to answer your questions.

Thank you for your time and patience.  Maraming, maraming salamat po.  END
 
 
 

/jay