Thursday, November 11, 2004 (Philippines)

The safety of overseas Filipino workers was discussed Wednesday during the Ugnayan sa Royal Mandaya Hotel. The discussants were Arlyn Girodo, social worker, Center for Overseas Workers; Zenobia Caro, regional officer, Overseas Worker Welfare Administration 11; Renato Villa, officer-in-charge, Regional Consular Office, Department of Foreign Affairs-Davao; and Francis Domingo, chief, Mindanao Regional Center of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration. (Sun.Star Davao/Rene B. Lumawag) THE family of kidnapped overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Robert Teodore "Bobby" Tarongoy is distressed over the huge ransom being demanded for his release and they do not expect such amount will ever be paid. Tomas Tarongoy, Bobby's father, said they are not expecting the Philippine government or any other organization or individual to shell out $10 million (not $12 million as earlier reported) for his son's freedom. [full story]