(UPDATE 2) Kidnapped OFW in Nigeria freed--DFA
By Veronica Uy, Tarra Quismundo
Inquirer, INQUIRER.net
Last updated 03:20pm (Mla time) 10/10/2007
MANILA, Philippines -- A Filipino and his Colombian co-worker were released in Nigeria after 12 days in captivity, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday.
The men were abducted September 27 in oil-rich southern Nigeria in an attack that left another Colombian oil worker dead, authorities said.
Albert Bacani Sr. and the unidentified Colombian co-worker were recovered by Nigerian authorities on a bridge in Port Harcourt around 5 a.m. Wednesday, Manila time (or 10 p.m., October 9 in Nigeria), DFA spokesman Claro Cristobal said.
“They are in good condition and are now in the custody of their Saipem employers and undergoing full medical evaluation,” Cristobal said.
He said DFA Secretary Alberto Romulo directed Philippine Ambassador to Nigeria Masaranga Umpa to facilitate the repatriation of Bacani, who has spoken by phone with his wife.
Romulo has reported Bacani’s release to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Cristobal said.
Romulo also thanked the Nigerian government and Saipem, Bacani’s employer for securing the Filipino’s release.
Bacani is an electrician working for a construction yard of Saipem, an Italian petrochemical firm.
About 3,800 Filipinos work in Nigeria's bustling oil industry. Arroyo has banned additional workers from going there after 26 Filipinos were abducted in January and February. All were safely released.
In May, eight Filipinos and three South Koreans were seized from their heavily guarded compound. They were freed after a week.
Scores of foreign workers have been kidnapped this year in Nigeria, often for money but also sometimes by militants making demands on the government.
With a report from Associated Press; Originally posted at 10:38am
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