22 December 2003

Dear Messrs. Bautista and Mangampo-Ociones,

I would like to acknowledge, with appreciation, receipt yesterday of your letter dated 19 December 2003 conveying your desire to meet with me today regarding the "hunger strikers" in the Embassy.

In view of time constraints, however, I regret that I would be unable to meet with you today. I look forward to meeting with you in the future.

As you are very much aware, the "hunger strikers" in the Embassy were escorted by the diplomatic police last night to the hospital for check-up and were shortly later, released, not to a more spacious police station or the Immigration Center, as suggested, but to a place of their own choice.

Let me take this opportunity to assure you that the Embassy remains committed to assisting them as well as others who may be similarly-situated. I have already given instructions to the concerned case officers to expedite the resolution of their respective problems.

In such endeavor, we will always appreciate the support of the members of the community.

Thank you and please accept my best wishes.