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By Francis Earl A. Cueto, Reporter
SEVEN of the 24 Filipinos
kidnapped this month in Nigeria’s southern Delta State are
critically ill and need immediate treatment, according to a Nigerian
newspaper.
The Punch said the health of the
seven Filipinos has deteriorated fast due to lack of access to
medications.
The report said seven of the
seamen were suffering from hypertension and several among them also
have diabetes.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary
Esteban Conejos told The Manila Times there were “unofficial
reports.”
DFA spokesman Ed Malaya said
Manila has asked Philippine Ambassador to Nigeria Masaranga Umpa to
verify the report.
The newspaper quoted militants
asking the kidnapped Filipinos’ employer, Brawai Nigeria Limited,
to send medicine.
The message was relayed through
the state government and security agencies, the newspaper said.
Gunmen seized the 24 Filipinos
from a Nigerian-flagged, German-owned cargo ship off the coast of
the West African state on January 20.
The kidnappers have yet to allow
Philippine representatives access to the hostages. Manila has left
negotiations to the Nigerian government and the seamen’s employer.
Following the abduction,
President Arroyo ordered a halt to the deployment of Filipinos to
Nigeria, which employs up to 3,000 Filipino seafarers.
The Nigerian government appealed
the ban, saying Filipinos are a “vital force” to that
country’s oil industry.
However, Conejos said Manila
would not immediately lift the ban even if the hostages are
released. The government needs to evaluate the condition in Nigeria,
he said.
Different armed groups in the
Niger Delta are holding hostage at least 38 foreigners.
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