Nigerian gunmen free Pinoy electrician after 2 weeks in captivity

A Filipino worker and his Colombian co-worker who were abducted in Nigeria two weeks ago was released yesterday morning.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said Albert Bacani Sr., chief electrician of SAIPEM, an Italian petrochemical company in Nigeria, and his co-worker were recovered by Nigerian authorities on a bridge in Port Harcourt around 5 a.m. (10 p.m. Tuesday, Nigerian time).

The two were abducted on Sept. 27 from their workplace at SAIPEM’s petrochemical complex in Port Harcourt, River State.

DFA spokesman Claro Cristobal said Bacani and his co-worker are in good condition.

“They are physically unharmed and are now in the custody of their employers at SAIPEM, undergoing full medical and psychological evaluation,” Cristobal said.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo thanked the Nigerian government and SAIPEM for their successful efforts in securing the release of Bacani.

He also directed the Philippine Embassy in Nigeria to facilitate the repatriation of Bacani to Manila and conveyed his release to his family.

Bacani’s family and relatives rejoiced in tears upon hearing the good news.

“We were very, very happy that he was freed safe. Thank God for hearing our prayers,” Bacani’s 74-year-old mother, Esmeralda, told The STAR in an interview at their house in Barangay Camp 1, Rosario, La Union.

Esmeralda, along with Albert’s wife Nenita, their three children and relatives have been praying day and night since they learned of his abduction.

They also went to pray at the Basilica of Manaoag in Pangasinan and at the Basilica of Our Lady of Lourdes in Agoo town.

“Last Sunday, I prayed the rosary kneeling, starting from the door of our church in Rosario up to the altar. I asked God to help my son, that he should be freed safe and let him come home to us,” the teary-eyed mother said.

Nenita said she was very thankful for the efforts of the government and the support of their relatives and friends.

Albert, 53, is the eldest among his 10 siblings and has been an overseas Filipino worker for more than 10 years.

He is scheduled for a vacation on Oct. 22.

“We will conduct a thanksgiving mass as soon as he arrives here,” Nenita said, adding that their family will discuss if they will still allow Albert to go abroad again.  – With Jun Elias