18 April 2006 – Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Esteban B. Conejos, Jr. instructed the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to maintain close communication with the police in connection with the arrest on 11 April 2006 of several Filipinos in the course of the investigation on the discovery on 4 April 2006 of dismembered bodies in southern Jeddah and six missing Filipino nationals.

Undersecretary Conejos issued this directive after receiving the report of Consul General Pendosina N. Lomondot stating that he, Assistant Labor Representative Des T. Dicang, and Consulate interpreters Montaser Pasandalan and Bukhare Madaya met with Brig. Gen. Mohamad Al-Zainan of the Jeddah Central Police Directorate to inquire as to the condition of the OFWs apprehended by Saudi police in connection with the discovery of human body parts in southern Jeddah.   The Consular officials also discussed with Brig. Gen. Al-Zainan the status of the arrest order for the OFWs, the investigation on the dismembered human bodies and the efforts to locate the six missing Filipinos.

Consul General Pendosina N. Lomondot reported that he requested General Al-Zainan for a list of all Filipinos arrested in connection with the case and to update the Consulate on the charges they are facing.  General Al-Zainan informed Consul General Lomondot that Lt. Col. Abdulrahman Al-Malki of the Janobiya Mabahis (Intelligence) Police Office will inform the Consulate of developments of the investigation after three days.

The Consulate team likewise met with Dr. Col. Badr H. Shalhoub, Chief Security Officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diplomatic Missions, and Chief of Diplomatic Security Force (Jeddah) to appeal for the release of some of the OFWs to the custody of the Consulate while the investigation is ongoing.  Dr. Col. Shalhoub then replied that his office will inform the Consulate of its decision also after three days.  He then assured Consul General Lomondot that he will be “of utmost assistance and will personally monitor the cases of the OFWs” and will inform the Consulate of any new developments.

The DFA is not disclosing the names of the Filipinos in view of the on going investigation by the Saudi police.

Consul General Lomondot earlier reported that at least ten OFWs have been arrested in the course of the investigation.  He and other representatives from the Consulate then visited the Janoobiyah Intelligence Office and met with Chief of Intelligence Lt. Col. Abdulrahman Al-Malki.

Lt. Col. Al-Malki informed the Consul General that the office is still in the process of investigating the murder of the still-unidentified dismembered bodies found in southern Jeddah and that several OFWs were detained for questioning.  Consul General Lomondot was not allowed to view the remains and to speak with the arrested OFWs because, according to Lt. Col. Al-Malki, Saudi laws require that when the case involves murder, persons are placed under solitary confinement (incommunicado) for a period of 60 days.

The Intelligence Chief, however, assured the Consul General that the investigation will be finished within seven to 10 days and those found innocent will be released immediately to the Consulate.

Consul General Lomondot assured Undersecretary Conejos that the Consulate will monitor the case and maintain close communication with Saudi authorities, and ensure that the rights and well-being of the apprehended Filipinos are protected while under Saudi custody. END