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DEPARTMENT
OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
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Philippine
Embassy, abuja reports 2 abducted ofws
released, will be returning home soon
26
June 2006 — Philippine Ambassador to
Abuja, Nigeria Masaranga R. Umpa reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs
that OFWs Joseph Viloria Doctolero and Pacifico Fresnido Gajo have been released
by their abductors at 3:00 p.m. on 25 June 2006 (Abuja time) at official
ceremonies marking their turnover from the local government to the Philippine
Embassy.
Ambassador
Umpa said that the OFWs, who had been in captivity since 21 June 2006, were then
joined by the Embassy consular team and representatives of their employer
Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS) in a convoy going to the SOS clinic where the two
oil workers were given food and medical treatment. (Please refer to Press
Release SFA-AGR-515-06, dated 22 June 2006, for the background information.)
The
Ambassador added that the OFWs were billeted at a hotel where they were joined
by two of their colleagues and the consular team for consultations and
debriefings. They will then return
to the Philippines within this week as the Embassy completes the necessary
travel documents.
The
families of OFW Doctolero and Gajo have already been notified of the latest
development. Ambassador Umpa
said the two OFWs have spoken with their respective spouses.