Remains of 4 Pinoys killed in Algeria arriving tonight

MANILA, Philippines - The remains of the four Filipino workers killed during a hostage taking incident at a gas field in Algeria are scheduled to arrive tonight at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Representatives from the Japan Gas Corp. (JGC) confirmed that the firm employed the four Filipino workers.

The victims were among the eight Filipinos killed by Islamic militants who attacked the gas field and seized hostages.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday that Filipino diplomats in Algeria have requested DNA samples from family members of the lone missing Filipino to facilitate the identification of his remains.

“We are now coordinating with the concerned employment agency on this,” said DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez.

He said the DFA has been informed that the remains of four Filipinos to be repatriated will soon arrive in Manila.

Hernandez added that the families of the fatalities have requested that they be given space and privacy by the media as they mourn the loss of their loved ones.

The relatives have requested the media not to meet or interview them at the airport and elsewhere.

“For now, they are asking for our prayers and understanding,” Hernandez said.

The DFA said that one of two missing Filipinos has been identified, bringing to eight the number of Filipino workers killed in the Algeria hostage crisis last week.