Global alliance of overseas Filipino workers (OFWS) Migrante International today asked the Philippine Embassy in Saudi Arabia and the Aquino administration to investigate the alleged maltreatment of jailed OFWs in Malaz Central Jail.
According to Migrante International chairperson Garry Martinez, they have received text messages from jailed OFWs, complaining of repeated beatings from their jail guards.
The text message read, “Kasama po ako sa mga binugbog ng mga pulis dito noong July 13. Sinundan naman kahapon (Pebrero 6) lahat kami ditto unti-unti kaming pinalalabas ng mga pulis para bugbugin lang.”
“Wala na kaming karapatang ipaglaban ang aming sarili, maliban lang sa tulong ninyo at embahada natin. Maraming-maraming salamat po sa inyo at tatanawin naming malaking utang na loob sa inyo sa tulong ninyo. God bless us.”
Migrante Middle-East coordinator John Leonard Monterona had already submitted a letter to officials of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh to investigate the matter.
For his part, Martinez called on the Aquino administration “to immediately investigate the matter and employ necessary diplomatic relations to oblige the Saudi government to punish abusive jail guards, if any.”
Below is the list of names of OFWs detained in Cell #15 of Malaz Jail reportedly being maltreated and physically abused by jail guards:
Farouk Hadji Malik Bayabao
Glecerio Tolentino
Romeo Alit
Edgar Basalo
Julito Diaz
Albert Laqui
Edward Velardo
Emilio Marcos
Benjamin David
Jerome Linayao
Juanito Evina
Mohamad Hassan Donie
Lito Agena
Fernando Delfino
Ramil Cajandab
Eisa Villariza
Moises Villaraza
Roberto Basalote
Dante Reyes
Albert Avellana
Walter Gat-eb
Rodrigo Rodelas
Andres Vera Jr.
Dean Paguirigan
Ariel Anano
Felix Atiz
Juneford Dagol
Dominador Margaza
Rolly Mazano
Jadey Rizarre
Randy Bautista
Rajec Amud
Abdula Castro
Orlando Reyes
Rolanda Saguiza
Emmanuel Mendoza
Cezar Ortega
Arnel Cantos
Renerio Harbonita
Henry Baliton
Ruffy Dela Cruz
Felipe Camija
Rodolfo Baltazar
Wilson Peralta
Wilfredo Magat
Ricardo Palumbarit
Edwin Tagari
Jessie Jarantillas
There are currently an estimated 150 OFWs in the Malaz Central Jail. ###
