04 August 2005 – The Philippine Embassy in Bangkok, Kingdom of Thailand reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that they are making strong representations with the Thai government for the resolution of the case and speedy release from detention of 57 Filipino nationals recently arrested and detained by Thai Immigration authorities.

According to the report of Philippine Ambassador to Thailand Antonio V. Rodriguez, the 57 Filipinos were arrested from different parts of the capital Bangkok and Pattaya on 27 July 2005.  The Ambassador said that the Philippine Embassy is extending all possible assistance to the 57 Filipinos, including coordinating with Thai immigration on the status of the case.

On 28 July, Ambassador Rodriguez said, Embassy representatives visited the 57 Filipinos at the Thai Immigration and Detention Center where they are currently detained.  The Embassy representatives learned from the Filipinos that they allegedly had valid visas at the time of their arrest and that none of them had violated any law of the Kingdom.

Ambassador Rodriguez said that The Philippine Embassy, through formal channels of communication, sought clarification from the relevant Thai authorities on the legal basis of the arrest and detention of the Filipinos.  The Embassy also requested that Thai Immigration release the Filipino detainees as soon as possible if it is found that they had not in fact violated any law of Thailand.

The Philippine Embassy is monitoring the case very closely and will update the DFA on any developments in the case.  END.
 
 

/Gary