President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to facilitate the return home of the body of Filipino election volunteer Josie Esto, one of five United Nations personnel killed in Wednesday's terrorist attack in Kabul, Afghanistan.

In a press briefing in Malacanang today, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said the President also asked DFA to see what it can do for Esto’s family.

At the same time, Remonde said government is “in touch with the Afghanistan government” on the condition of other Filipino workers there.

Esto, 40, an Electoral Outreach and Training Coordinator under the UN Volunteers Program, was killed when Taliban gunmen stormed the Bekhtar Guest House in Kabul's Shar-e-Now District being used by UN and other international workers.

Esto was a former school teacher who also worked as an electoral officer and civic education officer in the Philippines before serving as a UN volunteer in Liberia, Timor-Leste, and Nepal. (PIA9-Pagadian City)

Last update: 15-02-2011 09:28