Verify reports on hurt OFWs in Saudi riot, govt told

MANILA, Philippines - A migrant rights' group on Monday called on the Philippine government to verify reports that some Filipinos were injured in last week's riots in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

 

John Monterona, Migrante-Middle East and North Africa regional coordinator, urged the Philippine embassy to verify the "sketchy and unconfirmed" reports.

 

"We call on the Philippine embassy to verify this sketchy and unconfirmed report on undocumented OFWs allegedly injured in last week illegal migrants riot in Riyadh," Monterona said. 

 

Citing a statement released by the Saudi Press Agency, Monterona said riots have ensued last week involving illegal migrants in Manfouha district, a known asylum for many illegal migrants, throwing stones and some with knives attacked local Saudis.

 

A Saudi and an unidentified person were killed, SPA reported.  There were 28 Saudis and 40 expatriates injured in that riot.

 

Last Saturday, Saudi police arrested 561 illegal migrants in its effort to suppress the riot, Monterona added.

 

He also called on the Philippine embassy in Riyadh and the consulate in Jeddah to verify reports of 15 undocumented overseas Filipino workers nabbed by Saudi authorities since it resumed rounding-up of illegal migrants on Nov. 4.

 

"We hope that by now, the Philippine embassy and consulate have already organized quick response team- a team that will visit various jails, police stations, and detention centers -and immediately look after the apprehended OFWs and provide assistance to them," he said.

 

Monterona estimated at least 8,000 undocumented OFWs still in Saudi Arabia.

 

He said his group based the figure on the numbers of undocumented OFWs who were recently issued new passport and travel documents.