13 September 2005 – Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto G. Romulo today instructed Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Jose S. Brillantes and Ambassador Belen F. Anota of the Philippine Embassy in Singapore to closely monitor the progress of the investigation of the Aguilar/La Puebla slay case and to regularly update him on case developments as he attends the UN Security Council Summit and High-Level Plenary Meeting of the UN General Assembly in New York.  At the same time, Undersecretary Brillantes welcomed the invitation of the Singapore Government for the Philippines to send a pathologist to observe the autopsy on OFW Jane Parañgan La Puebla.

“I am grateful for this invitation of the Singapore Government for the Philippines to send a pathologist to participate in the investigation of this case.  This shows the closeness of our bilateral relations and mutual desire for a speedy and judicious resolution of this case,” Undersecretary Brillantes said.

Ambassador Anota earlier reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore transmitted to the Embassy a Note Verbale, dated 12 September 2005, inviting the Philippines to send a pathologist to observe the autopsy of murdered OFW Jane Parañgan La Puebla. The Ambassador added that Consul Maria Lumen B. Isleta of the Embassy had witnessed the preliminary autopsies done on 10 and 12 September 2005.

Undersecretary Brillantes has coordinated with National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Reynaldo G. Wycoco with regard to the Singapore invitation.

“Immediately after receiving Ambassador Anota’s report, I spoke with Director Wycoco this morning, and he has assured the Department that the NBI will speedily identify a pathologist to be sent to Singapore.” Undersecretary Brillantes said.

The Embassy had earlier engaged the services of a counsel to assist OFW Guen Garlejo Aguilar, who has been charged with the murder of OFW La Puebla.   The Singaporean lawyer has been requesting the court for access to OFW Aguilar as the Embassy awaits the completion of the police investigation.

The Embassy has also hired another Singaporean lawyer as ‘watching brief,’ or court-approved observer, to act on behalf of the deceased.  This lawyer has also requested the court to provide access for Embassy officials to the accused.

Ambassador Anota informed the Department that based on the advice of the Embassy-hired lawyer for the ‘watching brief,’ OFW Aguilar, after having been charged by the Singapore Criminal Investigation Department on 11 September 2005 for the murder of OFW La Puebla, will automatically be assigned two experienced criminal lawyers by the Registry of the Supreme Court.    The case of OFW La Puebla will be taken up by the Prosecution, the Ambassador added.

In the meantime, Undersecretary Brillantes has spoken with the husband of OFW Aguilar and assured him that “at the appropriate time the DFA is ready to fly him and the son to Singapore to meet and give support for Guen.”

Pursuant to Secretary Romulo’s instructions, the Embassy will continue to monitor the case and coordinate with the Singapore authorities on the results of the police investigation as well as continue to provide assistance and support for  OFW Aguilar. END