Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople today instructed the Philippine Embassy in Brunei-Darussalam to carefully monitor the developments and render the necessary assistance to Messrs. Neptalie Morilla and Dionisio Panglingayan, two (2) OFWs involved in a stabbing incident last 24 July 2003.

“Although it is always with a profound sense of regret whenever we hear of conflict among our kapwa Pilipino, I have instructed our Embassy in Brunei-Darussalam to oversea the recovery of Mr. Dionisio Panglingayan and make the necessary representations with the local authorities to ensure that the rights and welfare of    Mr. Neptalie Morilla be respected and observed,” the Secretary said. He added, “To this end, I trust Ambassador Virginia H. Benavidez in Brunei-Darussalam to ably represent the interests of Messrs. Morilla and Panglingayan to a swift and peaceful resolution.”

On 26 July 2003, Mr. Neptalie G. Morilla was charged before the Magistrate Court in Brunei-Darussalam for allegedly stabbing Mr. Dionisio Panglingayan with a 12.5-inch knife at around 10:20 pm two (2) days prior. The stabbing allegedly occurred in front of the side road to Jalan 4A, Kampong Kilanas, on the road of Jalan Ban 4, Kampong Kilanas, Brunei-Darussalam. Mr. Morilla was remanded for two (2) weeks into the custody of the Sengkurong Police Station pending further investigation by the local law enforcement. If he is convicted under Section 324 of Brunei-Darussalam’s Penal Code, Mr. Morilla may be convicted to a maximum of seven (7) years imprisonment and whipping.

During the aforementioned hearing, the Philippine Embassy in Brunei-Darussalam had the services of an interpreter present.

Mr. Panglingayan was visited at the RIPAS Hospital by Ambassador Benavidez and several officials from the Philippine Embassy in Brunei-Darussalam during his convalescence.

The Philippine Embassy in Brunei-Darussalam has also been coordinating with the employers and families of Messrs. Morilla and Panglingayan.

This incident has been the subject of media coverage in Brunei-Darussalam, particularly the newspaper article authored by Mr. Rol Ezam in the Borneo Bulletin of Sunday, 27 July 2003.

The Department of Foreign Affairs awaits news from the Philippine Embassy in Brunei-Darussalam of Mr. Panglingayan’s full recovery and further developments leading to Mr. Morilla’s final release. END.