20 May 2004 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert issued the assurance that the Department had taken steps to ensure that the ends of justice are served in the three separate cases involving the deaths of Filipinas in Lebanon.

“We have asked local authorities to keep these cases open and that thorough investigations be conducted.  We have sent a legal team to Beirut to work with local authorities on this matter and to monitor all developments,” Secretary Albert said, adding that the Department will refrain from commenting on the merits of the cases until the investigations are concluded.

The Secretary added that she had received claims against the Philippine Embassy in Beirut in these cases. “The Department gives the highest importance to the protection of Filipinos overseas and takes allegations against our Embassies very seriously,” the Secretary declared.  “The legal team that I have sent to Beirut has also been given the mandate to look into these claims against the Embassy and to report its findings to the Department.  I would like to assure all those concerned that the Department will do its duty and act as the facts may warrant,” Secretary Albert said.

“I appreciate the concern that has been shown by workers’ organizations, ordinary citizens and others who have been following these cases very closely.  I would like to assure them and the families of the deceased that the Department will do everything to ensure that the ends of justice are served,” the Secretary said.

“We have provided and continue to provide every assistance to the families of the victims,” the Secretary added.  All three victims are undocumented workers, having entered Lebanon on tourist visas.

“We are also looking into deeper, and possible systemic reasons behind these cases, given the similarities that they share,” the Secretary said.  The three deaths occurred when the victims fell trying to climb out of the apartments of their employers.

The three cases the Secretary was referring to were: Susan Louella Montenegro, who died on 24 February 2004; Catherine Bautista, who died on 3 May 2004; and a Filipina, who died on 16 May 2004.  The family of the third Filipina has not given permission to the Department to reveal her name. END.