4 OFWs jailed in Saudi Arabia over debts now home

DMW Building. (File Photo: Department of Migrant Workers/Facebook)

MANILA – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has confirmed that the four overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were jailed in Saudi Arabia over incurred debts have been back in the country after they were deported by the Saudi government.

In a press conference on Wednesday, DMW Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac also called on OFWs to be mindful of their debts as several countries like Saudi Arabia have harsh laws over incurred debts.

“One message that we could make is for our OFWs to be very mindful of the debts they incur and kasi nga nga (this is because) very strict, very harsh ang punishment sa host country like Saudi laws for instance, with respect to incurring of unpaid debts,” Cacdac said.

“Ang nangyari they had incurred debts and it’s very unfortunate na tumagal sila sa kulungan but eventually, that is why we are thankful for the Saudi authorities, nakita rin nila yung panahon na kailangan na silang i-release (What happened is that they incurred debts and its very unfortunate that they were jailed that long, that is why we are thankful for the Saudi authorities, they finally saw that they already need to be released),” he added.

Cacdac did not give the exact number of OFWs who are in jail in Saudi Arabia over debts, however, he said that many Filipinos in the Middle East are mired in debts.

He said that in Saudi Arabia, an individual may be imprisoned by executive courts for failing to pay back their loans.

The four OFWs were imprisoned in Saudi Arabia over debts they incurred for vehicle purchases.

“Manuel,” a printing press technician, was in jail for five years and eight months, while “Edgar,” an aircon technician was in prison for three years.

The other two, “Rey,” a trailer driver, and “Mario,” a merchandiser, were imprisoned for three years.

They returned to the country last Sunday (July 16) after a Saudi court ordered their deportation.

Meanwhile, Cacdac said that DMW has provided them and their families with the necessary assistance.

The four received PHP50,000 each as financial assistance from the DMW. They will also be provided with free transportation to their home provinces.

Cacdac, who had met with the OFWs during a recent visit to Saudi Arabia, said the DMW will also evaluate their level of skills and competencies for possible redeployment overseas, or local employment if they decide to stay in the Philippines.

The assessment is part of psycho-social evaluation and assessment services being provided by the DMW.