OFW who rescued disabled Arab honored




JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — The Philippine Consulate here honored earlier this week the Filipino worker who helped rescue a disabled Arab who was trapped inside his car during last week's flooding.
Ambassador Adnan Alonto personally handed over the plaque of apprecation to Saripada Dawood Balindong last Monday night in a simple ceremony at the Philippine Consulate.
Alonto said what Balindong did — forsaking his own safety to help someone — has made the whole country proud.
"Ipinakita niya po na ang Pilipino ay talagang may tapang at malasakit. Hindi ako magsasawa magbigay-pugay sa kanyang nagawa dahil it's not every day na that you see a man risk his life for a fellowman," he said.
Aside from Philippine officials, Balindong has been praised by Saudi nationals as well as government officials of the Kingdom.
Balindong, for his part, thanked the Embassy and the Consulate for the plaque and encouraged fellow OFWs not to think twice in helping those who are in need.
He said Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Interior has informed him that he is the first Filipino to be recognized in the Kingdom for heroism. Before him, an Indian national earned the admiration of Saudi nationals for helping someone even if it cost him his own life. —Ronaldo Concha/KBK, GMA News

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