Remains of 7 Pinoys killed in Algeria arrive in Phl

MANILA, Philippines - The remains of three more overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) killed in a hostage crisis at a gas plant in Algeria arrived in Manila yesterday afternoon.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said the bodies of the OFWs arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) from Doha, Qatar.

The remains of four other Filipino victims in the hostage siege arrived at the airport Tuesday night.

OWWA said the body of another Filipino worker killed in Algeria is expected to arrive in the next few days.

Another OFW is reportedly missing in Algeria.

OWWA administrator Carmelita Dimzon said the families of the OFWs requested private moments with their departed loved ones at the airport.

Dimzon said the government would provide the benefits and other necessary assistance to the families of the deceased workers.

She said OWWA is extending counseling to the families of the OFWs, including those who survived the hostage crisis.

Dimzon said most of the Filipinos who died in Algeria were professionals and highly skilled workers.

She added that the families of the OFWs would receive death and burial assistance of P220,000.

The families are also entitled to OWWA’s Education and Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP), scholarship grant for a qualified dependent, and livelihood assistance worth P15,000 to the surviving spouse. –With Rudy Santos