OFW kin asks PH gov’t to bring them to Riyadh

DUMAGUETE CITY—The family of one of the overseas Filipino workers  seriously wounded in the tanker explosion in Saudi Arabia has asked the Philippine government to bring them to the Middle Eastern kingdom so they could personally take care of their kin.

Alan Rallustian said they wanted to be with his younger brother Anthony to check on his condition after they learned that he would undergo an operation.

“We want him treated in the hospital there. If the government will hear our request, my younger brother Oscar and I would like to fly to Saudi to take care of our brother,” Alan said.

Anthony, 31, is among the 14 Filipinos injured after a fuel lorry hit a bridge in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Nov. 1. A Filipino driver was among the 23 people killed in the explosion that also hurt 165 persons.

His mother, Mercedes, 63, of Barangay (village) Banilad here, said she did not want to believe the news that his son was among those hurt. But this was later confirmed by her son’s friend who told her that Anthony was in serious condition.

Mercedes said she last spoke with Anthony in September when he told her that he would be coming home for Christmas.

“He’s a very responsible young man. He seldom sends us money because he said that his working condition in Saudi is not good. But every time he sends us his salary, he always tells me to prioritize my medication for high blood pressure,” Mercedes said.

Anthony’s two-year employment contract is scheduled to end in a month. His family is, however, unaware of the nature of his son’s work.