Frederick Apostol

A 41-year-old Filipino bank teller died after a speeding car bumped him in Assir Region in Saudi Arabia.

The victim was identified as Frederick Romulo Apostol, of Pacita Complex in San Pedro, Laguna. Apostol served as a bank teller at the Al-Rajhi Bank.

“Nakikiramay kami sa pamilya ni Frederick na nasa Pilipinas, nasa San Pedro. Nakikiramay ang buong staff dito ng Al-Rajhi dahil sa pangyayari. Gagawin naman ng Al-Rajhi kung anong nararapat na gawin dahil responsibilidad naman nila yan pati na din yung mga benepisyo. Kaya yung pamilya din niya sa Pilipinas makipag-coordinate po kayo sa Consulate natin,” said Randy Regolan.

Apostol died on the spot after sustaining severe head and body injuries. His body was also dragged about 20 meters away.

Reports said the accident happened along the Abha and Khamiz Mushayt National Highway. The suspect was arrested and is now detained in Abha while authorities are investigating the accident.

Apostol was supposed to spend his vacation in the Philippines three days before the accident happened.

“Hindi ako makapaniwala. Nagulat din ako. Mabait pa man din yung taong yun. Madaling lapitan. Di talaga maiiwasan lalo na dito balasubas ang mga Saudi driver. Ilang beses nang nangyari yan hindi lang sa kanya. Nakikiramay na rin ako sa pamilya niya,” said Apostol’s friend, Jonjon Malones.

Filipino friends and colleagues of the victim first doubted the accident. They suspected that Apostol was robbed, killed and his body dumped along the national highway. However, results of the investigations conducted by police disclosed that the victim died due to a road traffic accident.

“Walang katotohanan na nahold-up kasi may lumalabas na balita at na-confirm naman namin ito sa mga taga roon na nadisgrasya siya doon,” said Regolan.

Apostol became the fifth victim, and the third Pinoy, to die in a road accident along Abha National Road in a span of six months.

“Sa kababayang Pinoy, konting ingat sa kalye. Alam naman po natin na mabibilis magpatakbo ng mga sasakyan ang mga Arabo. Ingat-ingat po tayo. Ang nangyari po kay Frederick aksidente po yun,” said Regolana.

The Philippine Consulate in Jeddah is now preparing for the repatriation of Apostol’s remains back to the country. -- Report from Andy Relox, ABS-CBN Middle East News Bureau, Assir Region