Riyadh blast victims honored as heroes

Families of the three Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who died in the suicide bombings in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia were given Philippine flags, befitting "heroes" during simple rites held late yesterday afternoon at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2.

The bodies of the three victims, placed in sealed wooden boxes, arrived on Philippine Air Lines (PAL) flight PR 569 at around 3:435 p.m.

The bomb attack in Riyadh last May 12 killed Getulio Templo, Serafin Hernandez and Rogelio Pababero. Some16 other OFWs were hurt in the attack blamed on the al Qaeda terror network of Osama bin Laden. At least 29 people, including eight Americans, were killed and 194 others were wounded in the blasts.

The rites at the NAIA Terminal 2 was attended by Pampanga Vice Governor and presidential son Mikey Arroyo, representing President Arroyo who left yesterday for Seoul, Korea.

Joining Arroyo was Presidential Assistant Secretary Dodie Limcaoco, Special Envoy Amable Aguiluz V, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Admistrator Virgilio Angelo and Manila International Airport Authority officials.

Arroyo said the President sent her condolences and regrets for not coming to the ceremony.

However, he said the President has not wavered in the fight against terrorism.

"Terrorism can affect all of us more than we realize it," said the presidential son.

Limcaoco said the slain OFW were heroes.

"We consider them as exemplary Filipinos. We want to honor them and their families. They lost their lives in a terrorist act, and we want to show our respect for them and their families," said Limcaoco.

During the ceremony, flags were placed on top of the wooden boxes. MIAA police had carried the wooden boxes, folded the flags, which Arroyo had given to the wives of the three victims.

Pababero’s remains were later brought to Gumaca, Quezon; Templo’s to Batangas and Hernandez’s to Cavite.