The DFA conveys its appreciation to the Yemeni Government, President Ali Abdullah Saleh, Foreign Affairs Minister Abu Bakr Al-Qirbi, Electricity and Energy Minister Awadh Al-Socotri, and Mr. Abdul Majid Al-Sadi, businessman and Aggreko agent in Yemen for their help in facilitating release of Mr. De Castro.

Mr. De Castro, 46 years old and born in Ibaan in Batangas, is now with his employer, Aggreko-Yemen, and his departure from Yemen is being arranged.  The DFA is making arrangements for his wife and brother-in- law to proceed to and meet him in Dubai.

He works for Aggreko, an international power generator rental company, and was based in the province of Ma'arib working in a power plant.  Ma'arib is 200 kilometers east of the Yemeni capital Sanaa.

The employer received confirmation of the incident two hours after the abduction happened, and received proof of life of the Filipino and his colleague on April 19.

The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh learned about the Filipino's abduction on April 26, through its team detailed in Sana'a led by Vice Consul Paul Saret, and from the regional operations office of Aggreko based in Dubai, which informed Charge d'Affaires (CDA) Ezzedin Tago.

Earlier, on his second visit to Yemen last April 30, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario raised the case with the Yemini Government and sought their assistance, upon the instructions of President Benigno S. Aquino III. Embassy officials coordinated with the Filipino's employer and constantly followed up on the case with other Yemeni government officials.

Secretary Del Rosario met with Al-Sadi Group of Companies Chairman Majid Al Sadi, who is the local agent of the Aggreko company in Yemen, which owns the power plant. Mr. Al Sadi gave assurances that the company is doing everything for the Filipino's release.  He also made arrangements for the Foreign Affairs Secretary to meet with the Yemeni Minister of Electricity and Energy Awadh al-Suqatry, who likewise promised to do everything they can to secure Mr. De Castro's release.

Secretary Del Rosario also earlier met with Yemeni Foreign Minister Dr. Abu Bakr Qirbi to ask for his assistance for Mr. De Castro's safe release.  Foreign Minister Qirbi said that security forces will spare no effort to facilitate the Filipino's release and ensure his safety.

Also earlier, CDA Tago likewise had met with Mr. Al Sadi, who assured the Embassy that they were in constant daily contact with the abductors and Mr. De Castro, and the latter was provided with food and personal needs. The family in the Philippines was regularly updated on developments.

The abductors had demanded government services such as jobs and a school and electricity.

The Yemeni government, leaders of other neighboring tribal leaders in Ma'arib, and other provincial leaders helped convince the local tribe to release the Filipino.

During his last visit to Sanaa, Secretary Del Rosario sworn into office Philippines' first-ever Honorary Consul to Yemen, Mr. Mohammad Al-Jamal END