MANILA, Philippines -- An overseas Filipino worker recently arrested and jailed in Saudi Arabia for allegedly buying and selling alcohol during a raid has accused a Filipino-born religious policeman there of planting evidence against him.

Arnulfo Alcantara, 45, claimed the mutawwa or religious policeman framed him and a companion for possession of alcohol drinks, an illegal act in the Middle Eastern kingdom.

?We do not buy, much more sell, liquor,? Alcantara was quoted as saying by John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator of the OFW group Migrante-Middle East that called on the Department of Foreign Affairs to look into the case on Sunday.

Monterona, in a statement, said Alcantara managed to call him from his cell at the Malaz Central Jail in the Saudi capital Riyadh. The OFW, he said, has been in need of help in the form of legal representation by the Philippine government.

Alcantara had pleaded not guilty to charges filed by the Saudi police, Monterona said.

Alcantara also revealed that more than 70 OFWs have been in jail in Malaz, Monterona. Some of them claimed that they were also framed by Ali, who allegedly stole their money and personal belongings, the regional coordinator revealed, quoting Alcantara.

Migrante says it is still determining if Ali is an official member of the religious police or just an ?asset? or informer. The group is trying to verify with the Philippine Embassy if Ali is a Filipino citizen.

According to Alcantara?s account, he and his companion, a truck driver, were visiting a friend?s house on Oct. 26 when the religious policemen, led by a Filipino named Ali, barged in and searched the house for contraband.

Monterona said that Alcantara maintained that no alcohol drink or anything illegal was found in the house by the raiding team.

?But they were surprised when, as they were heading to the police car, the policeman produced a bottle of liquor making it appear that it was confiscated from their possession,? Monterona said.

The Migrante leader said Alcantara pointed at Ali as the one who planted the bottle of liquor so that they could be sent straight to jail.

Migrante-Middle East has endorsed the case to the embassy?s Assistance to the Nationals Section.

Monterona, who is based in Riyadh, has time and gain called on all OFWs to be mindful of local customs and laws once they are outside with friends, or even for an indoor social gathering, because such activities are usually observed by the religious police for violations.

?Vices such as gambling, drinking and possession of liquor and drugs are considered a ?big no? in Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries, so taking extra care and always bearing this in mind should be a ?standard operating procedure? for OFWs here,? Monterona said.

Corporeal punishment, imprisonment and deportation are the common punishment for such offenses, according to Monterona.