22 September 2005 – Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Jose S. Brillantes today briefed Dr. Raquel Fortun, Philippine General Hospital pathologist, the relatives of slain OFW Jane Parañgan Lapuebla – husband Crusaldo M. Lapuebla, aunt-guardian Sally B. Parañgan, and mother Paulina G. Ulay – and their companions Josephine O. Nuestro of a Singapore-based church organization and Dante L. Jimenez of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption shortly before their departure for Singapore at 2:15 this afternoon.

Undersecretary Brillantes informed the family of OFW Jane that they would be met at the airport upon their arrival in Singapore by Ambassador Belen F. Anota of the Philippine Embassy, who will update them on the current status of the case.

Dr. Fortun joins fellow pathologist Dr. Cesar Bisquera of the National Bureau of Investigation and NBI Interpol Executive Director Atty. Claro de Castro, who both flew to Singapore last Tuesday, 20 September 2005.

Undersecretary Brillantes said that the autopsy on OFW Jane will be held on Friday, 23 September 2005, at 2:30 p.m., and after the autopsy, the remains will be released to the Philippine Embassy.  The Embassy, in consultation with the family of OFW Jane, will then arrange for the immediate return of the remains to the Philippines so that the entire family may properly grieve and make the appropriate funeral services.

Undersecretary Brillantes further informed the Parañgan-Lapuebla family that the Embassy is ready to offer them further assistance while they are in the city-state.  END