DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS 
P R E S S  R E L E A S E
www.dfa.gov.ph                                                 2330 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, Philippines                                               Tel. No. 834-4000 

SFA-AGR-520-05                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             26  July 2005

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN RIYADH MONITORS INVESTIGATION INTO THE DEATH OF OFW MAGCANAN

26 July 2005 – Philippine Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Bahnarim A. Guinomla reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that he has instructed consular representatives of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh to closely coordinate with Police authorities and monitor the case of Mr. Alfrand Ravara Magcanan, a Filipino worker who was found dead inside his service vehicle in the middle of the dessert in the Kingdom’s Eastern Province.

Ambassador Guinomla also reported to the Department that Embassy representatives are in contact with the Al Hassa police, who are currently investigating the case.  Ambassador Guinomla said that his instructions to the Embassy’s assistance-to-nationals section include ascertaining with the relevant authorities the circumstances surrounding Mr. Magcanan’s disappearance and death, as well as exerting all efforts to ship his remains back to the Philippines at the soonest possible time, among other necessary assistance.

The Philippine Embassy is also coordinating with Mr. Magcanan’s Saudi-based agency Al Hajry Overseas.  Mr. Mohamed R. Al Hajry of the Al Hajry Overseas employment agency in Dammam first informed the Embassy of the case of Mr. Magcanan, who had been missing since 13 July 2005 along with the service vehicle issued to him.

Ambassador Guinomla said that Al Hajry Overseas is communicating with its Manila-based counterpart agency, which is in turn coordinating with Mr. Magcanan’s family in the Philippines for any assistance that may be extended to the next-of-kin.

Initial investigation by the police showed that Mr. Magcanan was last seen by his co-workers sitting all by himself inside his service vehicle on the night before he went missing.    Mr. Magcanan was eventually found by Al Hassa Police dead inside his service vehicle on 20 July, 150 kilometers from the work site where he was assigned.

Al Hajry Overseas had sent its own team to Al Hassa Police station to coordinate with the authorities on the cause of Mr. Magcanan’s death, as well as to retrieve his remains.  END
 
 
 
 

/epa