7 September 2005 – Chargé d’Affaires, a. i. (CDA) Ricardo M. Endaya of the Philippine Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that he was able to contact the attending physician of OFW Joseph Cahiyang – who has been admitted to the Al-Babtain Medical Center of the Ibn Sina Hospital in Kuwait – and said that Joseph is “showing good progress” and is now breathing without need of a ventilator.

CDA Endaya added that, according to two Filipino nurses attending the wounded OFW, Joseph could now talk, although incoherently.

In the meantime, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Jose S. Brillantes said the Department is assisting Mrs. Divina Cahiyang, wife of Joseph, to fly to Kuwait immediately to give care and support for her husband while recovering from his injuries.

Undersecretary Brillantes said the DFA, through its Assistance to Nationals Funds, bought the Manila-Kuwait-Manila airline ticket for Mrs. Cahiyang and provided assistance with her passport and visa requirements.    Mrs. Cahiyang is expected to be with her husband before the end of this week, Undersecretary Brillantes added.

CDA Endaya said that OFW Cahiyang’s convoy was apparently ambushed on 21 August 2005 in an undisclosed place somewhere in southern Iraq, and he was hit by a bullet in his left leg.  He also suffered third-degree burns on his face and on both of his arms.  OFW Cahiyang was then airlifted to Kuwait and brought to the Al-Babtain Medical Center.

CDA Endaya said that OFW Joseph Cahiyang’s records indicate that he was born on 20 March 1972 in Masbate, and was employed as a crane operator by Kuwait-based Al-Jassim Transport Limited.

CDA Endaya assured the Department that the Embassy will continue to coordinate with the Ibn Sina Hospital in Iraq to monitor OFW Cahiyang’s condition, and will investigate the circumstances of his convoy’s presence in Iraq.  END