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30 December 2003
Hon. Bahnarim Guinomla
Ambassador
Philippine Embassy
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Dear Mr. Ambassador,
This is to acknowledge the receipt of your letter
dated December 22, 2003 sent to us through e-mail.
The 16 stranded Filipinos whom we love to refer
to as the 'KAMI-SR 16' staged their protest action
for eight days. They staged the protest action
because of their long overdue demand for immediate
repatriation and to reunite with their families
and loved ones. They sacrificed their lives in
order to achieve a just demand for immediate repatriation.
Their action deserves a concrete response from
our own government.
However, instead of responding to the plight
of the stranded migrants, the Embassy officials
were quick in hurling the stranded migrants who
staged a "hunger strike" to the local
police and forced the 'KAMI-SR 16' to sign a statement
that jeopardized their condition and cover-up
their just demand.
The response made by the Philippine Embassy officials
in handling the case of our stranded kababayans
is totally irresponsible and only intend to cover-up
the real issue.
The dialogue between yourself and the KAMI -SR
16 last December 15, 2003 should have been a good
start. You promised to send a 'note verbale' or
a letter requesting the Saudi Arabian government
for clemency and for the immediate repatriation
of the 'stranded OFWs' and offered to provide
a shelter for stranded male OFWs, but it all ended-up
as empty promises.
Now, with your empty promises as proof, can you
still blame our stranded kababayans for initiating
a "hunger strike"? Again, let us remind
you that they resorted to such action because
they are desperate to return back to the Philippines
and reunite with their families and they been
waiting for that day for a long time.
Then on December 19, five days on with the hunger
strike of the KAMI-SR 16, Labor Attache Manuel
Roldan agreed with the undersigned and the Kapatiran
sa Gitnang Silangan (KGS) Chairperson Richard
F. Bautista that a meeting between us and the
Ambassador is highly necessary to discuss the
situation. The 16 stranded OFWs waited for this
meeting eagerly but later ended-up in a local
police station and their case was never taken
up by your office.
Sad to say, our stranded kababayans are now in
hiding because of the fear that they will be arrested
and detained. The recent action by your officers
of looking for the 'KAMI-SR 16,' waggling air
tickets supposedly already available in the Embassy
and questioning friends as to the whereabouts
of KAMI-SR Spokesperson Domingo Yalung due to
an alleged SR100,000 embezzlement case filed by
his employer would never bear you any good because
sadly, they would not trust anybody from your
office at the moment.
Despite their present condition, our stranded
kababayans are not losing hope. We were already
able to secure a recommendation to the Saudi Immigration
authorities from HRH Pr. Salman, the Central Region
Governor. This we believe will pave the way for
their immediate repatriation and reunite with
their families the soonest time possible.
But this can be realized if our dear Ambassador
will seriously look on their case and exert all
means to acquire the required air tickets as soon
as possible, and prepare their travel documents.
The Filipino community in the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia awaits your immediate action.
Hoping to hear from you soon.
Yours Sincerely,
A. Mangampo-Ociones
Chairperson
MIGRANTE Sectoral Party
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Chapter
Tel. No.: +966 57 396 505
Email: [email protected]
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