MANILA, Philippines — Malaca�ang on Saturday said it remained optimistic about negotiating successfully for the release of Filipino hostages in Nigeria.
�We assure families of the victims that the government is on top of the situation and our best efforts are being exerted to ensure that all of the victims will be taken out of harm’s way,” said Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye in a statement.
�Let us not engage in speculation and scenarios of despair. We are dealing with this incident systematically and with sensitivity and we are hopeful that a favorable outcome will be well within reach,” said Bunye.
Twenty-six Filipinos have been taken hostage in Nigeria in the last two months, including Filipina Josiebeth Foroozan, by a group of kidnappers that target foreigners in the oil-rich Niger Delta.
Government efforts are currently focused on the 24 Filipino seamen and the engineer that were part of the Germany-registered cargo vessel Baco Liner II captured by militants last January 20.