PRESS RELEASE                                                                      
Department of Foreign Affairs
2330 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, Philippines                        *      Tel. No. 834-4000                                 *     www.dfa.gov.ph
SFA-DDA-357-04                                                                                                                                03 June  2004
 
 

SWIFT ACTION OF SAUDI GOVERNMENT STRONG DETERRENT TO FUTURE ATTACKS;
UPGRADED SECURITY MEASURES ADD TO SAFETY OF FILIPINOS – ALBERT

 
3 June 2004, Islamabad, Pakistan – Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert today welcomed reports that the Saudi government has made inroads in pursuing the perpetrators of the the weekend attacks on the eastern oil city of Khobar, in which 22 people were killed, including  three Filipinos.  Three other Filipinos were among those injured in the attacks.
 
Secretary Albert also said that the decision of the Saudi government and private companies employing Filipinos to implement additional security measures will certainly add to the safety and security of Filipinos in Saudi Arabia. The Secretary made this statement from Islamabad, Pakistan, where she is currently on an official visit.
 
A ministry statement said the police shot and killed the two men in a remote mountainous region near the western city of Taif. The Saudi forces had been hunting three militants who had escaped after the Khobar siege.
 
“As we grieve for our loss and as we take every precaution to ensure the safety of Filipinos in Saudi Arabia, I would like to reiterate our confidence that the Saudi Government will be able to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice.  Their recent gains are a testament to their resolve and will certainly help to prevent future attacks,” Secretary Albert said.

“I would also like to cite the decision of the Saudi Government as well as by the private companies that employ Filipinos, to upgrade their security measures.  While terrorists attack indiscriminately, proper security measures and vigilance could serve to deter such attacks,” the Secretary added.
 
The Secretary also gave the assurance that the Philippine Government will provide every assistance to the families of the victims and will also assist the Filipinos who were injured. END.