Secretary of Foreign Affairs Blas F. Ople announced today the successful evacuation from Liberia and return to the Philippines of the Taplah family. Ms. Delia Forte Taplah, Mr. Anthony Jarbo Forte Taplah, and Mr. Aloysius Forte Taplah will be flying in from Western Africa early this evening.

“I am glad whenever we successfully bring home our kababayans,” the Secretary said. He added, “It makes us especially proud when our Foreign Service performs well under trying circumstances.”

The Taplahs were among the roughly two and half dozen Filipinos evacuated from Liberia by the consular team of the Philippine Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria, during the outbreak of armed hostilities among different factions in Liberia in early June of this year.

The consular team of the Philippine Embassy in Abuja was composed of  Vice-Consul Edward Yulo and Mr. Camalodin Manggis. Messrs. Yulo and Manggis are being joined by additional personnel from the Philippine Embassy in Abuja in extending assistance to the evacuees.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration have provided the airfares and waived the visa fees of the Taplah family.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has been in touch with the next of kin in the Philippines, and has coordinated with the Department of Labor and Employment and the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration and will provide assist the Taplah family. END.