15 June 2004—Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert condoled with the Filipino widows of Kenneth Scroggs and Herman Dengl, American and German, respectively, who were both killed in recent terrorist attacks in Riyadh.

“It is hard to imagine the pain and the terrible sense of loss Mrs. Estela Menor Scroggs and Mrs. Antoinette Fernandez Dengl are going through right now, and I would like to express my deepest sympathies to them”, Secretary Albert said.

At the same time, the Foreign Affairs Secretary called on Filipinos in Saudi Arabia to observe strictly security regulations. “These acts of terror underscore the need to remind our compatriots to remain vigilant and to observe security measures in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia”, Secretary Albert reiterated.  “As I commiserate with the widows of the slain civilians, and if it is any comfort, I wish to assure them of the Department’s assistance.  Our embassy personnel continue to extend consular and humanitarian assistance to OFWs and their families, especially in the hour of need and in adverse conditions.”

Mrs. Scroggs, a dentist and a native of Pangasinan, works for Advanced Electronics Company together with her late husband who was gunned down on 12 June 2004.  Mrs. Dengl’s husband was killed in a drive-by shooting near an automated teller machine in downtown Riyadh on 22 May 2004.

Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Bahnarim Guinomla was able to get in touch with Mrs. Scroggs to convey the condolences and sympathies of the Philippine government.  The ambassador also assured her that the Embassy would always be ready to assist her should she need any assistance.  The Embassy also tried to contact Mrs. Dengl who, however, did not reply to the message left on her answering machine.  END