Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Citing reports from its officer based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, a Filipino migrant rights group today said an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) was found dead in Batha, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The OFW who was identified as ‘Cris’, is a ‘TNT’ or undocumented. Initial information reveals he is suffering from tuberculosis.

“At around 3:30 p.m. yesterday, according to the accounts of those who had seen ‘Cris’, he is puffing blood from his mouth, then suddenly he collapsed into the ground near an electronic shop in Batha, Riyadh,” Mike Garlan, Migrante-Saudi Arabia chapter Secretary-General said.

The incident had been reported to the local police; minutes later authorities arrived along with medical team to attend on ‘Cris’. At around 3:45 p.m., he has been declared dead by the attending medical personnel who tried to rescue him, according to OFWs who have seen ‘Cris’ at that moment.

Upon knowing the incident, John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle east regional coordinator, asked Migrante officers in Riyadh to call the attention of the PH embassy to dispatch a quick reaction team to investigate the said incident.

“Unfortunately, when the embassy staff reached Batha, ‘Cris’ remains had been taken by the Saudi’s authority out from the place; we are still trying to locate where his remains has been brought,” Monterona added.

Monterona said he hoped that he is not the undocumented sick OFW his group has been helping for the past months, who is also suffering from tuberculosis.

“We are urging the PH embassy to closely follow his case, properly identify the OFW, his status and other personal circumstances, and immediately inform his family,” Monterona added.

Monterona said KGS-Migrante in Riyadh will help facilitate the repatriation of his remains and belongings and will ask OWWA to provide assistance to his family.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator