PRESS RELEASE                                                                     
Department of Foreign Affairs
2330 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, Philippines                                    *      Tel. No. 834-4000                                                 *     www.dfa.gov.ph
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No. 726-03; 14 December  2003
 

DFA PRESS RELEASE

Manila, 14 December 2003 - Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople is presently confined at an undisclosed hospital in Taipeh after complaining of breathing difficulties, the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed today.

The Secretary was proceeding to Manama, Bahrain for the presidential visit when his flight from Tokyo had to be diverted to Taipeh.

The members of the Secretary's family are now proceeding to Taiwan.

An update on the medical condition of the Secretary will be issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs once it becomes available.