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Arroyo brings home distressed OFWs from Saudi Arabia

abs-cbnNEWS.com | 09/24/2009 6:55 PM

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MANILA- President Arroyo arrived on Thursday bringing home 119 distressed overseas Filipino workers from Saudi Arabia after seeking the intercession of the king of Saudi Arabia.

After a long wait the distressed OFWs were very happy to have finally been able to be repatriated to the Philippines.

Many told of stories of maltreatment and abuse by their former employers in the Middle Eastern kingdom.

One case said he was no longer paid for his services while another said her employer fed her garbage.

Possibly one of the worst experience was from a female who said her employer attempted to rape her.

She said however she was able to escape the attempt but not after pointing a knife to her employer.

According to Malacañang, most of the OFWs were “runaways” or those who fled from their employers due to maltreatment and abuse.

Sought Saudi King's aid

Since their employers would not cooperate with Saudi authorities on giving them clearance to return to the Philippines, President Arroyo had to seek the help of the Saudi Arabian King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz.

“Only the president can ask this favor from the king, kung di si presidente ang makikiusap para mapabilis ang pag uwi ng mga ito, hindi po makakauwi ang lahat," said deputy presidential spokesperson Lorelie Fajardo.

The statement also countered claims by activist alliance of Pinoy migrants Migrante International which alleged that the repatriation of the stranded OFWs in Saudi Arabia were intentionally delayed just “to indulge Arroyo’s proven penchant for photo-ops.”

Many of the OFWs who just arrived were reportedly from Visayas and Mindanao. They would reportedly stay at a halfway house of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration while their travel arrangements are being prepared.

OWWA administrator Carmelita Dimzon meanwhile said the government agency helped the OFWs by “advancing plane fares and paying the penalties for alleged immigration violations” in Saudi Arabia so that they can return to the Philippines.

Meanwhile a three-man team from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has left for Jeddah in Saudi Arabia after President Arroyo ordered a probe on the conditions of other stranded OFWs living under Khandara bridge.

The NBI agents are set to investigate the reasons why the Filipinos are staying there as well as identify those who came to the Middle Eastern country with working and tourist visas and who are overstaying. The probe will reportedly last for 5 days.