Former Philippines envoy to NZ slain

The former Philippines Ambassador to New Zealand, Alicia Ramos, has been murdered.

Ms Ramos, 64, who returned to Manila from Wellington three years ago, was strangled by three masked intruders who broke into her home at dawn on Sunday.

Her trussed-up body was found by police in her second-floor room with a towel tightly wound around her neck.

The alarm was raised by her 61-year-old sister Leticia, who escaped after being tied up. Leticia is also a career diplomat.

Philstar.com reported that Ms Ramos also had lacerations and injuries and traces of masking tape were around her mouth.

Police believe robbery may have been the motive but are checking other possibilities. Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ordered police to form a special investigation team to bring the killers to justice.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Phil Goff said he was saddened by Ms Ramos' death and had sent messages of condolence to her family and to the Philippines Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Alberto Romulo.

Mr Goff said he met Ms Ramos often during her six years in Wellington and in her latest position as assistant secretary for Asia and Pacific affairs.

"She was a warm, pleasant and likeable person with many good friends in New Zealand. All of us who knew her are devastated by her loss and the circumstances of her death."

She was a skilled diplomat who had encouraged and supported New Zealand's relationship with the Philippines and its bid for close engagement with Asean, he said.

Lolita Capco, the Acting Philippines Ambassador to NZ, said the news was very sad for the Filipino community in Wellington. A special Mass would be held at St Teresa's Church in Karori at 7 o'clock tonight.

Mrs Capco, who worked with Ms Ramos for 18 months, said she was stunned that such a gentle person should meet her death in such a way.

Wellington Filipino Christian Fellowship leader Flora Nogoy said the local community was dumbfounded and very sad. "She will be missed by a lot of people."

Ms Ramos had been a good public servant and well respected.

- NZPA