20 January 2006 – Chargé d’Affaires, a. i. (CDA) Randy B. Arquiza of the Philippine Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria, reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the Embassy sent a consular team on 17 January 2006 to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire to assist Filipinos there and to facilitate the immediate return to the Philippines of the remains of OFW Marie Corales Caparas, who died on 9 January 2006.

CDA Arquiza stated that due to the dangerous situation faced by Filipinos in Côte d’Ivoire, currently in a state of civil war, the Embassy in Abuja – which has concurrent jurisdiction over Côte d’Ivoire – sent a consular team composed of two Embassy officials, Mr. Crisostomo M. Mendoza and Mr. Camalodin P. Manggis of the Assistance-to-Nationals Section, to the war-torn country to assist Filipinos in the midst of the unstable situation in that country.  As per records of the Embassy, there were 78 Filipinos in Côte d’Ivoire as of June 2005, most of them working as entertainers.

The Embassy also sent the consular team to Côte d’Ivoire to facilitate the return to the Philippines of the remains of OFW Caparas of Muntinlupa City, who, according to information, worked at the Odessy Bar in Abidjan and was brought to the hospital for medical treatment after reportedly getting sick.  After all attempts to revive her proved unsuccessful, the doctors declared her in comatose condition.  Her life support system was removed on 9 January 2006 and she was then declared dead, CDA Arquiza said.

CDA Arquiza added that the consular team are currently making representations with Ivorian authorities to investigate the circumstances of OFW Caparas’ death, as well as working for the quick return of her remains to the Philippines.

CDA Arquiza assured the Department that the Embassy will continue to monitor the situation in Côte d’Ivoire, provide assistance to Filipinos there, and report to the Department any new developments.  END
 

/bjg