3 October 2005 – Ambassador Joseph D. Bernardo y Medina of the Philippine Embassy in Madrid, Spain, reported to Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo that the Consular Team from the Embassy met in Santander with Ms. Nelia Maranan and Ms. Angela Maranan – aunt and cousin respectively of slain OFW Ivy Collantes Bautista – and have updated them on the measures taken by the Philippine Government to assist Ivy’s next-of-kin as well as assure them that the Government will protect their interests and provide additional assistance when needed (Please refer to Press Releases SFA-AGR-699-05, 29 September 2005 and  SFA-AGR-702-05, 1 October 2005, for the background information.)

Ambassador Bernardo added that the Embassy has also requested Honorary Consul General José Luis Gamarra of the Philippine Honorary Consulate General in Bilbao to look for a lawyer in Santander to represent the family of OFW Ivy Bautista.

Meanwhile, in the Philippines, Mr. Crisanto Bautista and Mr. Ireneo Maranan – husband and uncle respectively of Ivy – informed Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Jose S. Brillantes late yesterday of the family’s decision to forgo a trip to Santander, Spain.  They also decided to forgo a request for a second autopsy of Ivy and instead seek the DFA’s assistance to expedite the return to the Philippines of her remains.  The family expressed its belief that the dead should be respected and the remains should not be subjected to repeated invasions.

Undersecretary Brillantes and his staff at the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs (OUMWA) had been meeting Crisanto, Demetria Collantes, mother of Ivy; and a number of Ivy’s next-of-kin from 30 September to 1 October 2005 at the OUMWA-DFA to regularly update them on the developments of the case and the assistance undertaken on their behalf.   (Please refer to press release SFA-AGR-705-05, 1 October 2005, for the background information.)

In light of the developments, the OUMWA is now coordinating with the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA) for the immediate return of Ivy’s remains including assistance in the  payment of the transportation cost from Santander-Bilbao to Manila, estimated at 4,800 Euros (US$ 5,870).  OFW Ivy, as a registered member of OWWA, is also entitled burial and other benefits.  END