1 April 2004 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert today expressed her personal outrage over the murder and mutilation of a Filipina worker in  Saudi Arabia and noted the swift action taken by Saudi Authorities in  detaining persons who might be involved or who may have knowledge of this  crime.

“I feel a deep sense of personal outrage over this heinous crime and will do  all I can to ensure that justice is done.  I appreciate the swift action  taken by the Saudi authorities who have already detained those who may be  involved or may have information relating to this crime.  Our Embassy in  Riyadh has been on this case since day one and will actively work with the  local authorities,” Secretary Albert said.

“I am deeply saddened by this crime and offer our sympathies to the family  and friends of the victim.  The family of the victim has been informed and we  will be providing them with every assistance.  They have asked that the  remains of the victim be returned as soon as possible and we will work  towards this end.  I understand that the remains of the victim will be  returned once it is no longer necessary to the on-going investigation, and we  hope that this will be soon,” Secretary Albert said.

The Secretary said that while she is outraged by this crime, it also makes  her more determined to pursue initiatives that would reinforce international  norms and structures that would protect migrant workers, particularly women  migrant workers.

The Secretary recently highlighted the need to reinvigorate efforts on behalf  of migrant workers at the High Level Segment of the 60th Session of the  Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in Geneva (DFA Press Release 194-04 and 193-04), an initiative that was supported by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan (DFA
Press Release 197-04). END.