Filipina in Bahrain found alive, safe — DFA

A Filipina, who had been reported missing in Bahrain, was found alive and safe last Saturday at a park in West Riffa, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

Ambassador to Bahrain Eduardo Maglaya reported to the DFA that Grace Nodalo was spotted at the Marina Park in the Hoora District, West Riffa by a Bahraini national at around 5 a.m. last Saturday.

The Bahraini national then alerted the Hoora Police Security Directorate which informed the Philippine Embassy that Nodalo, who works as a cashier at the Bahrain Financing Co. (BFC), was found alive and safe.

In his report, Maglaya said West Riffa police authorities are now conducting an investigation into Nodalo’s mysterious disappearance.

The police are still studying statements by Nodalo’s husband, Julio, and other concerned parties.

Authorities are also validating other circumstances in the case. A medical examination will be conducted on Nodalo to determine her health condition.

The embassy vowed to continue providing assistance to Nodalo and her husband throughout the investigation by the authorities.

Embassy officials have been in close coordination with authorities since Nodalo was reported missing last June 14 and provided updates to her husband, who is also an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Bahrain, working as a technician with the Bahraini Defense Ministry.

Last June 20, Maglaya called on Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa to request assistance in teh Nodalo case.

Prior to her disappearance, Nodalo was being investigated in connection with a huge amount of money that was missing from the BFC.

The embassy report revealed that the BFC conducted two meetings to find out who was responsible. However, Nodalo went missing on June 14 when the BFC called for a third meeting.

Maglaya said they are still coordinating with the West Riffa Police Security Directorate, the Criminal Investigation Directorate and the Prosecutor’s Office on the progress of the police investigation on the missing money angle and its possible connection to the disappearance or possible abduction of Nodalo.