Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06LAGOS880
2006-06-21 15:21:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Lagos
Cable title:
TWO PHILIPPINE EXPATRIATES KIDNAPPED IN PORT
how-toVZCZCXRO6384 OO RUEHPA DE RUEHOS #0880 1721521 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 211521Z JUN 06 FM AMCONSUL LAGOS TO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHML/AMEMBASSY MANILA IMMEDIATE 0116 RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7432 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RUEPGDA/USEUCOM JIC VAIHINGEN GE IMMEDIATE INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEHUJA/AMEMBASSY ABUJA 7438
C O N F I D E N T I A L LAGOS 000880
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE PASS DOE FOR DAS JBRODMAN AND CGAY
TREASURY FOR ASEVERENS AND SRENENDER
COMMERCE FOR KBURRESS
STATE PASS TRANSPORTATION FOR MARAD
STATE PASS USAID FOR GWEYNAND AND SLAWAETZ
STATE FOR DS/IP/AF, AF/EX, DS/IP/OPO, DS/ICI/PII, DS/DSS/ITA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/20/2016
TAGS: EPET PGOV ASEC PTER CASC NI
SUBJECT: TWO PHILIPPINE EXPATRIATES KIDNAPPED IN PORT
HARCOURT
Classified By: Consul General Brian L. Browne for Reason 1.4 (D and E).
C O N F I D E N T I A L LAGOS 000880
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE PASS DOE FOR DAS JBRODMAN AND CGAY
TREASURY FOR ASEVERENS AND SRENENDER
COMMERCE FOR KBURRESS
STATE PASS TRANSPORTATION FOR MARAD
STATE PASS USAID FOR GWEYNAND AND SLAWAETZ
STATE FOR DS/IP/AF, AF/EX, DS/IP/OPO, DS/ICI/PII, DS/DSS/ITA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/20/2016
TAGS: EPET PGOV ASEC PTER CASC NI
SUBJECT: TWO PHILIPPINE EXPATRIATES KIDNAPPED IN PORT
HARCOURT
Classified By: Consul General Brian L. Browne for Reason 1.4 (D and E).
1. (SBU) Two Philippine expatriate oil workers were
kidnapped in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on June 20. Vice
Consul Randy Arquiza of the Philippine Embassy confirmed the
incident, identifying the hostages as Pacifico Gajo and
Joseph Docdolero. Both are employees of Beaufort
International, a subcontractor to Norwegian-based Petroleum
Geo-Services (PGS),an oil service company. Arquiza is
traveling to Port Harcourt this afternoon, June 21 to
coordinate activities with PGS Port Harcourt Operations
Manager Victor White. So far there has been no communication
from the kidnappers.
2. (SBU) There are conflicting reports regarding the
kidnapping. Media sources claim the two were taken by six
armed men in a speed boat, but sources from other oil
companies working in the Port Harcourt area say the hostages'
vessel was approached by a smaller vessel complaining of
engine trouble. Gajo and Docdolero offered to assist,
boarding the vessel to check th engine. However, this was
apparently a ruse. After the two boarded, the boat sped away
with the two workers. There have been no reports of
violence. These sources believe the kidnapping is possibly
related to PGS Onshore's (subsidiary of PGS) recent layoff of
twenty employees who are residents of nearby communities.
3. (C) Comment: This is the third hostage-taking in as many
weeks. We expect similar attacks to continue as Niger Delta
communities begin to view kidnapping as their most effacious
grievance mechanism if not a lucrative activity as well.
Although these recent incidents have not been as violent or
politically-motivated, they add to the uncertain operating
environment in the Niger Delta. End comment.
BROWNE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE PASS DOE FOR DAS JBRODMAN AND CGAY
TREASURY FOR ASEVERENS AND SRENENDER
COMMERCE FOR KBURRESS
STATE PASS TRANSPORTATION FOR MARAD
STATE PASS USAID FOR GWEYNAND AND SLAWAETZ
STATE FOR DS/IP/AF, AF/EX, DS/IP/OPO, DS/ICI/PII, DS/DSS/ITA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/20/2016
TAGS: EPET PGOV ASEC PTER CASC NI
SUBJECT: TWO PHILIPPINE EXPATRIATES KIDNAPPED IN PORT
HARCOURT
Classified By: Consul General Brian L. Browne for Reason 1.4 (D and E).
1. (SBU) Two Philippine expatriate oil workers were
kidnapped in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on June 20. Vice
Consul Randy Arquiza of the Philippine Embassy confirmed the
incident, identifying the hostages as Pacifico Gajo and
Joseph Docdolero. Both are employees of Beaufort
International, a subcontractor to Norwegian-based Petroleum
Geo-Services (PGS),an oil service company. Arquiza is
traveling to Port Harcourt this afternoon, June 21 to
coordinate activities with PGS Port Harcourt Operations
Manager Victor White. So far there has been no communication
from the kidnappers.
2. (SBU) There are conflicting reports regarding the
kidnapping. Media sources claim the two were taken by six
armed men in a speed boat, but sources from other oil
companies working in the Port Harcourt area say the hostages'
vessel was approached by a smaller vessel complaining of
engine trouble. Gajo and Docdolero offered to assist,
boarding the vessel to check th engine. However, this was
apparently a ruse. After the two boarded, the boat sped away
with the two workers. There have been no reports of
violence. These sources believe the kidnapping is possibly
related to PGS Onshore's (subsidiary of PGS) recent layoff of
twenty employees who are residents of nearby communities.
3. (C) Comment: This is the third hostage-taking in as many
weeks. We expect similar attacks to continue as Niger Delta
communities begin to view kidnapping as their most effacious
grievance mechanism if not a lucrative activity as well.
Although these recent incidents have not been as violent or
politically-motivated, they add to the uncertain operating
environment in the Niger Delta. End comment.
BROWNE