Migrante International extends its most sincere condolences to the families and friends of at least 12 Filipinos who reportedly died in a vehicular accident in Saudi Arabia last Monday afternoon while on their way to their accommodation.
Apart from the 12 Filipinos, 13 other Filipinos, all employed by KENTZ Company, were also reportedly wounded when their coaster collided with a delivery truck in Al-Ahsa, a province in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia.
As of this posting, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is yet to confirm reports. However, GMA News has already confirmed the accident and the deaths. Filipino migrants in Saudi Arabia have also contacted Migrante through social media to confirm the reports.
“We are still coordinating with our chapters in Saudi Arabia to get complete information on our kababayans. We demand immediate action and assistance from the government. We received reports from our friends in the media that when they inquired, the DFA said that they have not had time to coordinate with PH posts in Saudi ‘because they are still busy with APEC’. This is simply unacceptable! Instead of taking great pains to impress APEC leaders and foreign delegates, our government should prioritize our kababayans, especially those in distress,” said Mic Catuira, Migrante International deputy secretary-general.
Catuira said that families of the victims should be entitled to immediate assistance and benefits from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), particularly repatriation costs, medical assistance, burial and other death benefits and scholarships for children of those who died. “Aside from quick action from the government, they deserve to be given all these benefits entitled them.”
For inquiries and assistance, Catuira said families and next of kin of victims may contact Migrante’s hotline, 0921-2709079. ###
