PH facilitating repatriation of 2 Pinoys killed in Saudi fire

In a statement, DFA Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said a team from the Consulate is in Najran to discuss with the employer the arrangements for the immediate repatriation of the victims’ remains and secure whatever benefits that are due them as well as to ascertain from local authorities the real cause of the fire.(PNA photo)

MANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Monday night said the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah is now in touch with the employer of two Filipino workers who died in a fire that razed their construction site in Saudi Arabia.

The two fatalities were identified as Jessie Alata Pacetes and Reynaldo Barroga Castro, both heavy equipment drivers and operators employed by a major Saudi construction company that was working on a road project in Najran.

In a statement, DFA Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said a team from the Consulate is in Najran to discuss with the employer the arrangements for the immediate repatriation of the victims’ remains and secure whatever benefits that are due them as well as to ascertain from local authorities the real cause of the fire.

According to Consul General Edgar Badajos, the two victims died in their sleeping quarters at their job site located some 60 kilometers from Najran. The blaze, which started early Sunday, was believed to have been caused by faulty electrical wiring.

Cayetano expressed sympathies to the family of Pacetes and Castro.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones of our two kababayans who lost their lives in the tragedy,” he said in a statement, shortly after he was informed of the incident.