RP embassy confirms death of Pinay nanny in Riyadh bombing

A Filipina was killed in the Nov. 9 terrorist bombing of an expatriate residential compound in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople said yesterday Reylyn Nuez Abarra was identified by the Philippine embassy in Riyadh as one of the fatalities.

"It is with deep regret that I bring news of this sad development on the despicable bombing in Riyadh, and lament that our worst fears have been confirmed," he said.

The family of Abarra has been notified, and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is providing them with all the necessary assistance, he added.

Ople said Abarra was killed, along with two children under her care on the night the terrorists attacked the Al-Mohayya residential complex in the Saudi capital.

"Our embassy officials are on top of the situation in Riyadh, and I have instructed them to continue monitoring the situation by remaining vigilant in searching for and identifying other Filipinos that may have been affected by the Riyadh bombing," he said.

"I fervently hope that there would be no more Filipino casualties."

Ople said he has instructed Ambassador to Riyadh Bahnarim Guinomla to expedite the return of Abarra’s remains to the Philippines, and ensure that all the benefits due her be given.

Despite the terrorist attack, the Philippines will not issue a travel advisory on Saudi Arabia, he added.

Acting Labor and Employment Secretary Manuel Imson said DOLE officials are coordinating with Abarra’s family for the immediate return of her body.

The government is now readying the necessary assistance and the benefits due to the family of Abarra, he added.

Abarra’s family will receive P200,000 in insurance benefits, said Administrator Virgilio Angelo of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

Earlier, the DFA confirmed that two Filipinas were hurt in the attack — one of them identified as 33-year-old Lolita Montealto.

Montealto suffered a fractured right arm and was confined at the King Faizal Hospital.

The other Filipina sustained abrasions in the hands, but her family asked the DFA not to identify her.

Reports said the terrorists opened fire from a hill overlooking the residential compound, which houses expatriate businessmen and their families.

A terrorist then drove an explosive-laden jeep into the compound and detonated the bombs, killing at least 10 people and wounding some 100 others, mostly children, reports added.

The DFA said the dead included Saudis, Sudanese and Egyptians. Aside from the two Filipinas, among the injured were

Americans, Canadians, Indians, Bangladeshis, Turks, Pakistanis, Romanians, Sri Lankans and several others from Africa, the DFA added.

Meanwhile, Ople said the scheduled visit of President Arroyo to Saudi Arabia next month will most likely be postponed. — Mike Frialde, Mayen Jaymalin