12 March 2004 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert, who continues to monitor the situation in Madrid while on her official visit to Turkey, today confirmed that a Filipino had died in yesterday’s bombings in Madrid.  “I had earlier said that we continue to hope that no Filipinos were hurt or killed in the bombings.  It is my sad duty to confirm that one Filipino was killed in yesterday’s bombings in Madrid,” Secretary Albert said.

The Secretary confirmed that Mr. Rex Reynaldo Ferrer, of Santiago, Isabela, born on 27 September 1983 was identified as one of the fatalities.  In an earlier press release today, the Secretary had said that the Philippine Consular Teams had been working closely with the parents of Mr. Ferrer in searching for him.  She had described how the Consular Team and Mr. Ferrer’s parents had met with Queen Sofia in one of the hospitals in Madrid.

“On behalf of the nation, I would like to convey to the parents, relatives and friends of Mr. Ferrer our profound sympathies for their loss.  We are prepared to provide every assistance in this case.  Mr. Ferrer’s parents have asked for our help in returning his body to the Philippines.  This is something that we will readily do,” the Secretary said.

Mr. Ferrer lived with his parents in Torrejon, approximately 50 kilometers from Madrid.  As told by his parents to Embassy officials, he was on his way to Madrid to attend a church meeting that morning.  Rex was a member of the Iglesia ni Cristo.  He had been living in Spain for 7 years and had acquired Spanish citizenship in 2003.  The parents have given their consent to reveal the identity of Mr. Rex Ferrer as one of the casualties.

“This terrorist attack has claimed the life of a Filipino and our indignation and outrage at those who committed this dastardly act knows no bounds.  These attacks only strengthen our determination to fight terror and to do so hand-in-hand with our allies. We will seek justice for Mr. Ferrer and for all who fell in Madrid to the bombs of these terrorists,” the Secretary said. END.