Arroyo wants release of Pinoy held by Nigerian militants

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Monday ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to secure the safe release of the Filipino hostage abducted by Nigerian militants along with eight other foreigners last Saturday. Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said the President also instructed the DFA in coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment and the Philippine Embassy in Nigeria to draw up possible evacuation plan for Filipinos working in the African state in case the situation deteriorates. "She has ordered the DFA to coordinate closely with the labor department in drawing up and implementing a contingency plan for Filipinos still in that country," Bunye said in a statement. "We are firmly committed to this goal of securing the safety of our citizens abroad in the same way that we are working round-the-clock with local governments, national agencies, and international relief workers to rescue and provide relief to the landslide victims of Southern Leyte," he said. Apart from the still unidentified Filipino, three Americans, two Thais, two Egyptians, and a Briton were reportedly abducted while laying a pipeline for oil giant Shell.-GMANEWS.TV