3 Pinoys freed in Nigeria

The three Filipino gas company workers abducted in Nigeria 10 days ago have been released, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced yesterday.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Esteban Conejos Jr. would not say whether ransom was paid for the freedom of Cornelio Fallaria, 51; Daniel Monteagudo, 49; and Alberto Torres, 50. "We have no information," he said.

Conejos said Nigerian authorities just informed Philippine officials that the three Filipinos had been freed Sunday after their employer "negotiated for their release." The three are now in the custody of Ambassador to Nigeria Masaranga Umpa.

Diplomats in the Philippine embassy in the Nigerian capital Abuja were in Port Harcourt yesterday to receive the freed hostages, an embassy official said.

"They’re okay, they’re safe, they were not harmed," Conejos told reporters.

There is no schedule of their arrival yet, as the three must first undergo debriefing and ask their employers to allow them to go home.

The national police spokesman in Nigeria, Haz Iwendi, confirmed to Agence France Presse the release of the three Filipinos.

"Yes, I know that they have been released. They were unhurt. But I still do not have all the details surrounding the release," he said. — Aurea Calica, AFP