DFA still checking if woman held over suicide vests in Saudi is Filipina

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday said that it has yet to confirm if the woman arrested in Saudi Arabia for her alleged role in making suicide vests is a Filipina.
 
DFA spokesperson Charles Jose told radio dzBB in an interview that the Philippine Embassy in Saudi Arabia was still trying to get a permission to personally talk with the "alleged Filipina."
 
"Gusto nilang (Philippine embassy) makita ang papeles ng Filipina na ito para matiyak ang detalye. Gusto nilang makita at makausap itong alleged Filipina," Jose added.
 
The DFA spokesperson said that as soon as the woman's nationality is confirmed, the Philippine embassy in Saudi Arabia will provide her with appropriate legal assistance.
 
"Our embassy will make sure na dadaan siya sa legal process, may trial, may appeal. Titiyakin ng embassy na hindi maba-violate ang kanyang karapatan," he added.
 
In an Agence-France Presse report, the woman was identified as Lady Gioi Aban Bali Nang.
 
Jose said that they were still cross-checking the name with their records.
 
The report said that the woman has gone missing from her employer 15 months ago.
 
She was arrested with a Syrian identified as Mohamed al-Barazi.
 
Reports said that the woman was wearing a suicide vest when arrested by local authorities in Saudi Arabia.
 
Jose, meanwhile, assured that the DFA will closely monitor the developments in the case, once they confirm that the woman is a Filipina. —ALG/KG, GMA News

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