31 January 2005 – The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has send two teams over the weekend to the Malaz Traffic Police and the Al-Imam General Hospital in Riyadh to facilitate the repatriation of the remains of OFW Suelito Leong who was reported by the police to have died on 12 January 2005 as a result of injuries from a traffic accident.

In a report to the Department of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Mariano A. Dumia, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. said the Embassy dispatched Mr. Tomas Lauzon, Consular Assistant, and Mr. Jamal Harris, interpreter, to the Malaz Traffic Police to obtain details of the police report on the death of Mr. Leong; and Mr. Oscar Cacho and Mr. Ahmad Bajunaid, both Attachés and Desk Officers in the Embassy’s Assistance-to-Nationals Section, to the Al-Iman General Hospital to facilitate the process of repatriating the remains of the OFW.

The Embassy immediately sent the two teams on Saturday, 29 January 2005, following the end of the long Hajj-related holiday in Saudi Arabia and pursuant to the instructions of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo to secure details of the accident that caused Mr. Leong’s death and to facilitate the return of the remains to his family in Davao del Sur.

CDA Dumia reported to the Department that Mr. Lauzon and Mr. Harris arrived at the Malaz Traffic Police Office at 8:00 AM, Saturday, and spoke with Major Rashid Mohammad Al-Amran, Head of the Accidents Division.  Major Al-Amran informed the Embassy representatives that “there was no foul play” in the death of OFW Leong.   He showed to the Embassy representatives a copy of the 3-page official report prepared by the police officer assigned to the case.   The police report included the report of the Red Crescent Ambulance personnel who responded to the accident.

CDA Dumia said Mr. Harris read the police and ambulance reports that stated that around 12 noon on 11 January 2005, the car being driven by Mr. Leong hit an electric lamp post in Sinaya Gadim.  The report also indicated that there was no second party involved in the accident.

CDA Dumia added that based on the Red Crescent Ambulance report, responding personnel found in Mr. Leong’s possession at the time of the accident an orange wallet, two company IDs, bank card, driver’s license, insurance ID and igama (or residence certificate).  Earlier, the Embassy reported that Engineer Tadeo Ipil, the supervisor of Mr. Leong at the Detecon Al-Saudi Co. (DETESAD), said that Mr. Leong hurriedly left the workshop in Sinaya sometime before 12 noon of 11 January 2005.   According to Engineer Ipil, some co-workers even asked if they could hitch a ride but Mr. Leong was in a hurry to go.

Major Al-Amran informed the Embassy representatives that the police case officer tried to contact DETESAD, Mr. Leong’s employer, using the telephone number stated in his Igama but no one allegedly answered the calls.  As regards the issuance of the police report, the Embassy shall coordinate with DETESAD to secure a copy of the report since the police procedure requires that such report shall be issued to the sponsor/employer of Mr. Leong.
 

CDA Dumia further reported that Mr. Cacho and Mr. Bajunaid spoke with the Deputy CEO of Al-Imam General Hospital, Mr. Kahlid Al-Dakhyl, and a Filipino staff at the Medical Records Section.   The Embassy representatives gathered from Mr. Al-Dakhyl that Mr. Leong was brought unconscious to the hospital on 11 January 2005 by police authorities.  The hospital records showed that Mr. Leong was taken to the ICU and immediately operated on for head injuries but unfortunately he did not survive and expired 24 hours later on 12 January 2005.  The Embassy representatives also learned the OFW Leong was identified at the time of his death through his company ID.

The Embassy representatives have made arrangements with the hospital authorities to secure a copy of the medical records for purposes of repatriating Mr. Leong’s remains to the Philippines.  The remains of Mr. Leong are presently lying at the Al-Imam General Hospital morgue. The remains will be transferred to the Riyadh Medical Complex Mortuary preparatory to the repatriation.

Since Mr. Leong was an employee of DETESAD at the time of his death, the company will attend to the repatriation expenses as well as the hospital expenses.  The Embassy, for its part, will facilitate the issuance of the required certificates and continue to coordinate with the employer DETESAD, which will secure the police and hospital reports or documents to expedite the repatriation of the remains of Mr. Leong to the Philippines.

At the same time, the Embassy shall coordinate with DETESAD on the payment to the next of kin of the last salary and other benefits or entitlements of Mr. Leong.

In the meantime, the Department has informed the family of Mr. Leong on the details of the latest report of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh. END
 

/jay