DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS 
P R E S S  R E L E A S E
www.dfa.gov.ph                                                                        2330 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, Philippines                                                                     Tel. No. 834-4000 
SFA-AGR-530-06                                                                                                                                                                                                                             26 June 2006

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.  

DFA-OUMWA will also be coordinating with the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA) in preparations for the Filipinos’ return home.  DFA records show that OFW Doctolero is 37 years old from La Union and OFW Gajo is 36 years old from Sorsogon.  END
 
/jay