27 January 2005 – Mr. Mariano A. Dumia, Chargé d’Affaires (CDA) of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the Embassy is now undertaking all possible means to expedite the shipment of the remains and collection of employee benefits of OFW Suelito C. Leong, who reportedly died of injuries sustained from car accident that happened on 11 January 2005, the day he went missing.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has already contacted Ms. Amelia Leong, wife of the late Suelito, to inform her of the very unfortunate turn of events and to convey to her the Department’s sincerest condolences.  The DFA will extend all possible assistance to Mr. Leong’s bereaved family, aside from facilitating the return of his remains to the Philippines.  Representatives of the DFA Regional Consular Office in Davao will also proceed today to Ms. Amelia’s residence to personally convey the DFA’s sympathies, as well as to determine what assistance could be given to her and her family.

On the evening of 26 January, the Philippine Embassy was informed by Mr. Leong’s Filipino coworkers at the Detecon Al Saudia Co., Ltd., (DETASAD) that they have received a report of a Filipino who had been brought by the Saudi Traffic Police to the Al-Iman General Hospital in Riyadh and that the said Filipino had succumbed to injuries sustained from a car accident.   Upon receiving the report, Vice Consul Romulo Victor Israel, Mr. Tom Lauzon and the Philippine Embassy interpreter Mr. Jamal Haris immediately proceeded to the Al Iman General hospital to meet up with Mr. Leong’s fellow Filipino technicians, Rogelio Berwaga, Isabelito Hernandez and Romeo Globio.

The Embassy representatives along with the three Filipino DETASAD employees were assisted by a Filipino nurse to identify the remains of the Filipino national already in storage in the hospital morgue.  Upon viewing the body, Mr. Berwaga, Mr. Hernandez and Mr. Globio confirmed to Vice Consul Israel, Mr. Lauzon and Mr. Haris that the remains were in fact those of Mr. Leong, CDA Dumia said in his report.

Consulting the records of the Al Iman General Hospital, the Philippine Embassy representatives learned that Mr. Leong was admitted at around 1300 HRS on 11 January due to vehicular accident.  Hospital records also show that the Filipino died the following day, 12 January.  From the hospital, the Embassy representatives then proceeded to the Traffic Police Office in Malaz but were not able to get more details on the case since the police officer assigned to the case was on leave due to the Hajj.  Since the officer on duty at that time wasn’t able to provide any further details, the Embassy will coordinate with the Malaz Traffic Police Office when the actual case officer returns for work at the end of the week, CDA Dumia said.

In this regard, the Department instructed Ambassador Bahnarim A.Guinomla of the Philippine Embassy, Riyadh, who is scheduled to return to his Post after official consultations in Manila, to closely coordinate with the Malaz Traffic Police Office in ascertaining the circumstances of the reported vehicular accident that caused Mr. Leong’s death and to ensure that the person or persons responsible, if any, are held liable.    The Department further instructed Ambassador Guinomla to ensure that all benefits due Mr. Leong are given to his wife as soon as possible.  Ambassador Guinomla shall immediately submit his report on these matters.

Mr. Leong, a 40-year old native of Negros Oriental, was reported missing by his employer DETASAD when he did not return to work after being sent out on work-related business on the morning of 11 January.  After being informed of the matter, the Philippine Embassy has been in constant communication with Saudi Authorities, as well as with Mr. Leong’s employer and colleagues to help ascertain his condition and whereabouts.  The DFA in Manila has also been updating Mr. Leong’s wife, who resides in Davao del Sur, of the developments on her husband’s case (for background details please see official DFA press releases SFA-AGR-946-05and SFA-AGR-942-05 dated 25 and 24 January 2005 respectively).  END
 

/jay