1 April 2004 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert today said that  the Department, through its embassy in London, will continue to provide every  assistance to Mr. Jaybe Ofrasio.

“We are closely monitoring the situation to ensure that Mr. Ofrasio is given  due process and all his rights as an accused are respected.  Mr. Ofrasio has  competent counsel and we also stand ready to assist his family who remain in  Belfast,” Secretary Albert said.

The Philippine Embassy in London reported that Jaybe Ofrasio’s bail hearing  which was originally set last March 24 will be heard today in Belfast,  Ireland. Philippine Honorary Consul John Ferris in Belfast has been attending  the previous hearings and has informed the Embassy that the original bail  hearing was rescheduled when Ofrasio’s defense attorney sought disclosure of  the evidence in the hands of the prosecutor.

When asked about the request of Mr. Ofrasio’s defense counsel for the  Philippines to clear Mr. Ofrasio of any wrongdoing and reports that  Philippine intelligence agencies have not cleared Mr. Ofrasio, Secretary  Albert said that it will be the Court that will determine the outcome of the  case, based on the facts and the law within the jurisdiction of the Court.

“Mr. Ofrasio will have his day in court and we will be there with him.  We  will provide him with every appropriate assistance. We will provide any  document that we can share with the court, if doing so will not compromise
critical national security interests,” the Secretary said. END.