5 illegal OFWs nabbed for defacing Jeddah consulate

MANILA, Philippines - Five undocumented Filipino workers, suspected of vandalizing the Philippine consulate in Jeddah, were arrested by Saudi Arabian authorities on July 22, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Friday.

The five overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were later released, DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said in a press briefing.

“This is a law enforcement issue. The matter is being investigated by Saudi Arabia authorities,” he said.

The OFWs’ reported actions were allegedly to compel both the consulate and the Saudi government to repatriate them as soon as possible.

“This is still under investigation. But in light of this incident we would like to reiterate our government is doing its utmost to repatriate undocumented Filipinos in Saudi Arabia,” Hernandez said.

He added that undocumented workers stranded in Saudi amid a government crackdown “have to go through the host government’s bureaucratic procedure. Violence will not solve the problem. In fact it would make the problem worse for repatriates.”