10 June 2004 – After working for the swift return of the remains of the three Filipinos that were killed in a terrorist attack in Al-Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which arrived yesterday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport via Gulf Air Flight no. GF154 at 1250, the Department said that it is vigorously working for the early release of all benefits and entitlements due the families of the three Filipinos.

The caskets containing the remains of Feliciano Almerol Dizon III, Joelly Ripol Giray and Mariano Faypon Cabasag were met by representatives of the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA-OUMWA) and Overseas Workers Welfare Association (OWWA), as well as their respective families.

Mrs. Amalia Dizon and daughter, Catherine, the family of Feliciano Dizon III accompanied the remains of the deceased during their flight back to the Philippines. Both had previously left for Al-Khobar on 21 May to visit Dizon, eight (8) days before the terrorist attack occurred.

Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Bahnarim A. Guinomla is leading the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh in making continued representations with the companies of the deceased for the early release of their benefits. Ambassador Guinomla assured the families of the deceased that the companies would be releasing their entitlements shortly.

The Department declined, as a matter of policy, to reveal the amounts of the benefits and entitlements. - END