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. 294; 14 June 2003
2 FILIPINOS
FROM LIBERIA ARRIVE TODAY
Two (2) Filipino nationals who have fled from Liberia arrived today, Saturday,
14 June 2003. Mr. Henry de Jesus and Ms. Diosa Banal came on
board KLM Flight 807 and were met by a DFA-OWWA team headed by Acting Foreign
Secretary Franklin M. Ebdalin and OWWA Administrator Virgilio Angelo.
Mr. de Jesus and Ms. Banal were among four (4) Filipinos who left Liberia
last week due to the turbulent political situation there. Along with
fellow OFW’s Avelino Tavas and Gil Real, they made their way through the
Ivory Coast (Coté d’Ivoire) and arrived in Ghana on 11 June where
they made contact with Philippine Honorary Consul Mr. Alex Quarmyne.
They joined the two (2) other Filipinos, Messrs. Edmundo Garcia and Mr. Leonel
Suminggit, according to the Philippine Embassy in Nigeria.
Mr. De Jesus was formerly connected with a Liberian bank while Ms. Banal
worked for a restaurant. The other four worked for a plantation in Liberia.
They have yet to decide whether or not to return to the Philippines.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Embassy in Nigeria is continuing its quiet efforts
at negotiating the release of Filipinos Renato and Julito Carpentero, who
are being held together with other foreign nationals by a rebel group in
Maryland County. As may be expected, the conduct of negotiations over
hostages are still considered highly sensitive.
Philippine Ambassador to Nigeria Masaranga Umpa was assured however, by his
fellow ambassadors whose countries have resident representatives in Liberia
that all hostages are in good and safe condition.
Messrs. Renato and Julito Carpentero are both married to Liberians.
Other than the Carpentero brothers, no other Filipino has been confirmed
as being held hostage.