DFA checking if Filipinos among abductees at Algeria gas field

MANILA, Philippines–The Department of Foreign Affairs is still verifying whether Filipinos were among foreign nationals abducted by militants at a natural gas field in Algeria.

DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez said Thursday morning that the home office has touched base with the Philippine Embassy in Tripoli to confirm the report. The Libya post covers Philippine concerns in Algeria.

“We are still verifying this report with our embassy in Tripoli which has jurisdiction over Algeria,” said Hernandez.

An Associated Press report on the incident said a group of Islamist militants attacked a natural gas complex in oil-rich Algeria as retaliation for the country’s support of France’s military operation targeting militants in neighboring Mali.

The report said that among those abducted were Americans, British and Japanese nationals.