The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed yesterday a Filipino seaman was among the expatriates kidnapped by gunmen in Nigeria last week.
Philippine Ambassador to Nigeria Masaranga Umpa said the Filipino seaman, whose identity was not disclosed, was snatched in Bayelsa State along with four British nationals, three Americans, one South African and one Nigerian.
Umpa said the Filipino worker was seized last May 25 with other foreign workers from the offshore construction barge where they were working.
The DFA corrected its earlier report that no Filipino was seized by the rebels.
The earlier report said the Filipino seaman was mistakenly identified as an Indian national.
The DFA downplayed reports of the kidnapping, since the Philippine government earlier this year banned Filipinos from working in Nigeria after 25 workers were abducted in separate incidents. Eight other Filipinos were abducted on May 1.
The ban did not apply to the estimated 4,500 Filipinos who are still working in Nigeria.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo has instructed Umpa and Undersecretary Esteban Conejos Jr. to coordinate and extend all assistance necessary to the Nigerian government in its efforts to secure the release of the Filipino seaman and the other victims. – With AFP