OFW in Saudi Arabia may lose hand for alleged car theft


Tags: Saudi Arabia
Another overseas Filipino Worker is in hot water in Saudi Arabia after allegedly stealing a car worth SR420,000 (around P4.8 million) at his place of work.
 
Hussein Abdain, an OFW of 10 years from Lamitan, Basilan, may lose a hand over the alleged theft, according to a report aired on "24 Oras" early  Monday evening. 

According to Amnesty International, punishment by amputation is enforced in Saudi Arabia for some crimes, including theft, where those convicted have their right hands cut off.
 
One month into Abdain's incarceration, his family in Basilan has yet to receive correspondence from him. Even appealing with the Department of Foreign Affairs - Zamboanga through a councilor in Lamitan failed to produce results.
 
“Ako mismo nagsabi. Sabi ko, ma'am, paki na lang, medyo mabagal talaga ang proseso ninyo. Hintay ng hintay kami, kailangan bibiyahe pa ako ng Basilan [to] Zamboanga just to follow up [on] the matter,” said Lamitan City councilor Norl Baul.
 
Abdain's siblings, dependent on their brother since their parents' death, are now in Manila with Baul to personally plead with Vice President Jejomar Binay, the presidential advisor on OFW concerns.
 
“Kahit naghirap po, basta magkasama-sama kami dito sa Pilipinas po,” said Basir Taalal, Abdain's brother.
 
DFA Sec. Raul Hernandez, in a message sent after the report was aired, said that the department is confirming details of Abdain's case and verifying DFA-Zamboanga's alleged lack of response.
 
The alleged crime adds to the troubles of the DFA and Binay, who are currently appealing for another migrant Filipino's life.
 
Joselito Zapanta, another OFW in Saudi Arabia, may be executed, after the Philippine government failed to raise enough for the blood money demanded by the family of a Sudanese national he killed.

The deadline, November 3, was the second extension given by the Saudi government for Zapanta to pay the blood money. — Rie Takumi/JDS, GMA News

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