Employer of missing OFW in Jeddah meets with PHL officials




The employer of Nilda Bongar, the Filipina domestic worker reported missing in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, has met with Philippine officials and vowed cooperation in the search for her.
Ashraf Abdullah Ahmed Dakman personally met with Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) deputy administrator Arnel Ignacio last week and surrendered Bongar's passport and several belongings.
The meeting was made possible through the efforts of Abdulaziz Khaemees, a Saudi national, and the pro-OFW group Ang Kaagapay ng Bawat OFW Advocates.
"I'm very, very thankful to our friend here, Mr Ashraf and Mr. Aziz, makikita natin na tumutulong sila para mahanap natin itong si Nilda," said Ignacio, who was in Saudi Arabia together with other Philippine labor officials to check on the condition of OFWs there following reports of abuse.
"We appreciate very much na siya ay nagpunta dito personal dala ang mga gamit ni Nilda," Ignacio added. "At least we're getting their cooperation para rin ang kuwento ay mabuo natin."
Ahmed said he has no hand in Bongar's disappearance and that he will cooperate in efforts to locate her. Through an interpreter, he said he will do all this to clear his name.
Ignacio said they are hoping Bongar is well wherever she is.
Bongar, a widow who has four children in Pangasinan, has been missing for a year and five months, according to her family. Her employer had reportedly told Saudi Police in September 2016 that she ran away.
Bongar's eldest son, Dan Mark, said his mother mentioned to them an unspecified problem before she went missing. —Ronaldo Concha/KBK, GMA News

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