12 September 2005 – Ambassador Belen F. Anota of the Philippine Embassy in Singapore reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that Embassy officials led by Minister and  Consul Maria Lumen B. Isleta have visited OFW Guen Garlejo Aguilar – detained by Singapore police for the slaying of fellow OFW Jane Parangan La Puebla – at the Police Cantonment where she is currently held and have provided her with legal assistance as well as assistance for her family in the Philippines.  At the same time, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Jose S. Brillantes has directed Consular Officers in the DFA La Union Regional Consular Office (RCO) and the Tuguegarao RCO to inform the families of OFW La Puebla in Nueva Vizcaya and OFW Aguilar in Ilocos Sur on the incident and to assure them of assistance by the Department. .

Ambassador Anota said that the Embassy officials were allowed to visit OFW Aguilar on Saturday, 10 September 2005, but were reminded by the Singaporean Investigation Officer that, in accordance with Singapore’s criminal and procedural laws, the interview should be kept to general matters and not to make queries regarding the case.

Ambassador Anota said that the Embassy officials found OFW Aguilar to be in good physical condition despite the stressful circumstances and that her detention cell has the necessary amenities.   Ambassador Anota reported that during the interview with the Embassy officials, OFW Aguilar said that she had been working in Singapore for various employers for nine years, and had been with her current employer for eight months.  Her husband and two children stayed in Ilocos Sur.

The Embassy officials then assured OFW Aguilar that the Embassy will continue to provide her with assistance.    OFW Aguilar requested the Embassy’s assistance concerning her sick child who is staying with the rest of the family in Ilocos Sur.  Counsul Isleta informed OFW Aguilar that the Embassy has coordinated with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in providing assistance concerning her sick child and that she did not have to worry about this matter.

Ambassador Anota said that pursuant to the Singapore Criminal Procedure Code, the Criminal Investigation Department of the Singapore Police has formally charged in court on Sunday, 11 September 2005, OFW Aguilar with “murder by causing the death of one Jane Parangan La Puebla F/26 years old.”   Ambassador Anota said the charge sheet was read out in Tagalog as interpreted to the accused by a Filipino court interpreter and Embassy officials were present at the start of the court proceeding at the Subordinate Court no. 26. OFW Aguilar was not required to submit a plea at that time.

The Ambassador added that the Embassy had engaged the services of a Singaporean lawyer as counsel for OFW Aguilar, and has also hired another Singaporean lawyer as ‘watching brief,’ or a court-approved observer, on behalf of the deceased.

Both counsels have asked the court that OFW Aguilar be allowed to see her counsel as well as Embassy officials after the prosecution requested that she be remanded for two weeks – a period when she would not be allowed to see her lawyers or any Embassy official – for the police to complete their investigations.  Ambassador Anota said that the Court finally decided to remand the accused for one week instead of two, and during this time, the accused would not have access to counsels nor Embassy officials.

Ambassador Anota said that the next court hearing is set for Friday, 16 September 2005, at 8:45 a.m.  The Ambassador explained that the next court proceeding, the prosecution is expected to brief the court as to the status of the police investigation and if at that point, is deemed necessary, will seek some more time for the police to continue and conclude their investigations.  Otherwise, if the prosecution will state that investigations have been concluded, the court will then take the plea of the accused.  Ambassador Anota said that at this point, the defense will seek access to the accused prior to her entering a plea.

The Department has instructed Ambassador Anota to monitor the case closely and ensure that Embassy officials are physically beside OFW Aguilar when she consults her counsel prior to making any plea to the charges leveled against her.

Ambassador Anota informed the Department that the Embassy and the DOLE-OWWA are currently coordinating with the Investigation Officer for information on the identities and particulars of the employers of both the accused and the deceased in order to collect their belongings and benefits that are due them so these may be turned over to their respective families.

At the same time, Undersecretary Brillantes has directed Consular Officers from the DFA Regional Consular Office (RCO) in Tuguegarao to coordinate with the family of OFW La Puebla in Nueva Vizcaya.  The Tuguegarao RCO immediately responded to the order, and Consular Officers made the five-hour trip to OFW La Puebla’s hometown to speak with her family and update them on the case.

Undersecretary Brillantes also directed Consular Officers from the La Union RCO to coordinate with the family of the accused, OFW Aguilar, Ilocos Sur.  The La Union RCO reported to Undersecretary Brillantes that Mr. Aguilar has been informed of the incident and the assistance now being extended by the Embassy for the OFW.

Undersecretary Brillantes assured the family of Mrs. La Puebla and Mrs. Aguilar that the “Department is ready to provide them all possible assistance as the case is being investigated and tried by Singaporean authorities.” END