20 April 2006 — Consul General Pendosina N. Lomondot reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs on 19 April 2006 that two OFWs detained by Saudi police in connection with the discovery of dismembered human remains in Jeddah have allegedly admitted to killing three OFWs earlier reported as missing.

Consul General Lomondot obtained the information after coordinating with police on his request to view and identify the dismembered remains, allegedly that of the missing OFWs.

The Consul General added that the OFWs had reportedly also implicated two other Filipinos as accessories.  These two alleged accessories are likewise under police custody.  (Please refer to Press Release SFA-AGR-301-06, dated 18 April 2006, for the background information.  The Department will not be releasing the names of the deceased OFWs as well as the names of the accused pending notification of their next-of-kin and to respect the legal rights of the Filipinos and their families.)

Consul General Lomondot had reiterated his request to be allowed to identify the remains.  His request has been granted and he will be accompanied by Janoobiyah Police authorities to identify the remains on 20 April 2006.

The Consul General said that the Janoobiyah Intelligence Officers are enlisting the cooperation of garbage collectors in Jeddah to find the other parts of the dismembered bodies.

Consul General Lomondot assured the Department that the Consulate will continue monitoring the situation in Jeddah and the welfare of the Filipinos involved, and will update the Department on all developments.

In the meantime, the Consul General met with the Filipino community leaders in Jeddah on 16 April 2006 to seek their assistance in conveying to fellow Filipinos “the importance of strictly complying with Saudi laws and to be ambassadors of goodwill as it is their responsibility to maintain the good image and reputation of the Filipinos and Philippines.” END