30 August 2004 – Pursuant to instructions from Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto G. Romulo, Philippine Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Ricardo M. Endaya went to Mosul last week to visit Danilo Pasia, the Filipino communications engineer wounded when armed Iraqi militants ambushed the vehicle carrying him and his companions while on the road to their compound in the Northern Iraqi city on the afternoon of Sunday 22 August.

“Mr. Endaya reported to me that he was able to personally speak with Mr. Pasia last week.  Mr. Endaya said Mr. Pasia is confined at the Mosul Medical City, formerly known as Mosul Al-Jumuhiri Hospital, where he underwent multiple surgical procedures for bullet wounds to the right arm” Secretary Romulo told reporters at a briefing held today at the DFA.  The Secretary added, “I was also informed by Mr. Endaya that Mr. Pasia is receiving the proper medical attention is being provided with tight, round-the-clock security provided by Mr. Pasia’s employer Siemens.”  “This comes as welcome news since we do not want anymore untoward incidents to happen,” the Secretary added.

According to the report, Mr. Endaya was informed by the hospital director that Siemens dispatched 30 security guards to watch over Danilo Pasia in groups of 10 changing over eight-hour shifts.

On Mr. Pasia’s medical expenses Secretary Romulo said, “I instructed Mr. Endaya to guarantee to the hospital that the Philippine Embassy in Baghdad is willing to pay for Mr. Pasia’s medical expenses in the event that his employer defaults on the bills.  Mr. Endaya reported to me that he has conveyed the message to Mr. Pasia’s orthopedic surgeon, although I have also given instructions to the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates to coordinate with the Siemens headquarters in Dubai also in the UAE about the Mr. Pasia’s medical expenses.”

“Danilo started his series of operations last Wednesday, with Mr. Endaya even personally overseeing the purchase of the steel plate that will be inserted in Mr. Pasia’s right arm.  I am happy to say that after undergoing surgery Danilo is on the road to recovery and may soon be discharged from the hospital,” Secretary Romulo said.

“I have also given instructions to Mr. Endaya to make all the necessary arrangements to ensure that Mr. Pasia is given adequate security and appropriate transportation arrangements for Danilo’s transit out of Iraq,” Secretary Romulo said, stressing that “I told Mr. Endaya to coordinate with the employer Siemen’s to ensure that Mr. Pasia is securely transported to a safer location, most possibly outside Iraq upon the patient’s discharge from the hospital.

“I expect another report from Mr. Endaya soon on developments regarding this case,” the Secretary said.

Danilo Pasia arrived in Mosul on 21 March 2004 via Damascus.  He was directly hired by Siemens Dubai through a London-based Penta Consulting Management and his employment contract was not processed by POEA.  According to Mr. Pasia, two other Filipino engineers were hired by Siemens for their Mosul operations, but they left for Dubai a few days before the incident.  END.