11 October 2005 – Chargé d’Affaires, a. i. (CDA) Anamarie A. Morales of the Philippine Embassy in Brussels, Belgium, reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the Embassy has facilitated the documentary and airline requirements for the return to the Philippines of the remains of slain former Filipino national Raul Simeon.

CDA Morales said that Simeon’s remains left Brussels on 11 October 2005 and will arrive at the NAIA at 3:20 p.m., Wednesday, 12 October 2005, aboard KLM Airlines KL 803 from Amsterdam.

CDA Morales earlier reported that an as-yet unidentified assailant stabbed Mr. Simeon, a naturalized Belgian who was born in Nueva Ecija, at the Brussels Zaventem Airport on the evening of 2 October 2005.  Mr. Simeon is survived by his spouse and three children.

As to the status of the case, CDA Morales informed the Department that: “The case is currently under investigation by the Belgian authorities.  Contrary to newspaper accounts, the assailant has not yet been apprehended.  In  the meantime, the police authorities have not yet disclosed the identity and nationality of the suspect presumably to ensure that the investigation process would not be compromised.”

CDA Morales and the Embassy staff joined the Filipino community in Brussels at the recent wake for Mr. Simeon.  The CDA conveyed to Mr. Simeon’s wife and three children the Embassy’s condolences and deepest sympathy.  She assured the family that the Embassy will facilitate the processing of the necessary documentation for the return of Mr. Simeon’s remains to the Philippines.

CDA Morales informed the Department that the Embassy will continue monitoring the case especially on the results of the police investigation and report on any developments. END