02 January 2005 --  The Philippine Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa  reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that its Embassy officers and staff paid a Christmas visit on 24 December 2005 to share the spirit of Christmas and bring cheer to a Filipina inmate who is currently jailed in the Johannesburg Correctional Services Female Prison.

Charges d’Affaires a.i. Oscar G. Orcine led the officers and staff with some of their families.   The Embassy team gave voluntary contributions for the Filipina to spend inside the prison to buy fruits or candies and to supplement her food because she said she has yet to adapt to South African food, CDA Orcine said.  The Department will not be disclosing the name of the Filipina to respect her right to privacy.

During the visit, the Filipina inmate said she was truly surprised and grateful for the visit. She also thanked the officers and staff for giving her a book entitled, “The Art of Massage: Mind and Body.”

A total amount of R500 ($77) cash gift was deposited into her account. Previously, she was also given $16 worth of phone cards to enable her to call her family in the Philippines.

She is the only Filipino inmate currently serving sentence in the entire African continent. She was convicted for importation of illegal drugs into South Africa.   The Embassy is monitoring the appeal of her sentence to the higher court. END