Cablegate: Philippine Hostages Released

VZCZCXRO0794
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHOS #0905 1771637
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 261637Z JUN 06
FM AMCONSUL LAGOS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7466
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHUJA/AMEMBASSY ABUJA 7463
RUEHML/AMEMBASSY MANILA 0117
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUEPGDA/USEUCOM JIC VAIHINGEN GE
RHMCSUU/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
RULSDMK/DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS LAGOS 000905

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED

DOE FOR GPERSON AND CGAYE
USDOC FOR 3317/ITA/OA/KBURRESS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EPET PGOV ASEC PETER CASC NI

SUBJECT: PHILIPPINE HOSTAGES RELEASED

REF: LAGOS 880

1. (SBU) On June 25, Philippine Vice-Consul Arquiza
informed us about the release of the two Philippine oil
workers (reftel) who were kidnapped on June 20. The
Philippine hostages were released into the custody of Vice-
Consul Arquiza at the Government House in Port Harcourt,
Rivers State. After several days with no communication from
the kidnappers or hostages, Arquiza told us the Rivers State
Government informed Philippine officials they had custody of
the hostages. Arquiza indicated the hostages had been
roughed up, but were in reasonably good condition. The
Philippine Embassy is arranging their expeditious return to
the Philippines. Arquiza thanked the U.S. Mission for its
assistance in facilitating contact between the Philippine
Embassy and Rivers State officials.

2. (SBU) This kidnapping appears to have been motivated by
local community issues in Rivers State. The River State
government took the lead in resolving the hostage case. We
have not confirmed the conditions for the hostages'
release. One source from the security industry reported the
Filipinos were kidnapped because their boat had capsized a
local fishing vessel and caused a fisherman to drown. Also,
local press reported one possible explanation for the
hostage-taking is local community complaints that Petroleum
Geo-Services (PGS) failed to provide social amenities for
them in accordance their Memorandum of Understanding.

BROWNE#

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