SFA-AGR-065-07                                                                                                                            07 February 2007

Philippine Embassy , Brunei assists relatives of TWO filipinA drowning victims

7 February 2007 — Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Virginia H. Benavidez reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the Embassy has provided assistance to the relatives of two Filipinas who drowned off the Taman Hutan Berakas Beach Recreational Area on 3 February 2007.

The two Filipinas – Maria St ella P. Lopez and Marelle Raya – were part of a group of 11 people, mostly Filipinos, who went on a picnic at the beach to celebrate the birthday of Ms. Raya’s aunt.  They went swimming and, after about several minutes, Ms. Lopez, Ms. Raya, Violeta Adote, and a Malaysia n man were swept out and pulled underwater by strong currents.  Their companions were only able to pull Ms. Adote out of the water and revive her before rushing her to RIPAS Hospital .

Personnel from the Brunei Sea rch and Rescue Unit later recovered the bodies of Ms. Lopez and the Malaysia n man near the site of the incident, while Ms. Raya’s body was recovered the following day in Jerudong, some distance from the accident area.

Ambassador Benavidez said that the Embassy immediately informed the respective families of the victims of the tragedy.  Embassy representatives have also attended the post mortem examinations on the remains of Ms. Lopez and Ms. Raya – who were in the Sultanate on social visit passes.  The embassy officials also checked on the condition of Ms. Adote, who is now recovering.

Ambassador Benavidez visited Ms. Adote at the hospital, and has spoken with her employers, who have agreed to shoulder her hospital expenses.

The Embassy also assisted in arranging the repatriation of the remains of Ms. Lopez and Ms. Raya, which are scheduled to arrive in Manila on Thursday, 8 February 2007, at 3:40 p.m. aboard Roy al Brunei Airways flight BI683.  END

/gret

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