Monday, July 25, 2005
Saudi guards assaulted 4 Pinoys in Jeddah: group
By Bong S. Sarmiento
A HONG Kong based regional human rights group has urged Philippine authorities to investigate the alleged assault of four Filipino workers, including three women, by security guards in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Kim Soo A, Urgent Appeals Desk programme coordinator of the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), said the reported manhandling, which resulted in injuries, happened at the premises of the Philippine consulate in Jeddah last July 16.
"The victims were demonstrating to express their concern over the present political crisis in the Philippines as well as the delay in the process of their repatriation," Kim said by email sent Wednesday afternoon.
"Since the peaceful demonstration took place within the premises of the Philippines Consulate, it is understood that it is legal," he added.
Kim said that another Hong Kong based non-government organization, the Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants, informed the AHRC, which was founded in 1984, of the incident.
She named the Filipino victims as Leo Legaspi, Jackiline Pakpakin, Jessica Hapos and Irene Mahinay.
Legaspi, a member of Migrante, and other Filipino workers in Jeddah were demanding the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, as well as delays in the application for repatriation process, in front of the Philippine consulate's office.
According to Legaspi, his female companions and the leaders of Migrante came to his rescue after the consulate's guards assaulted him.
Pakpakin, according to AHRC, was seriously injured following a scuffle with the consulate's Saudi guards. Pakpakin suffered injuries to her feet while Hapos and Mahinay were punched.
The alleged perpetrators were identified as Yusof, Anwar Andang, Atong and Ali Aguam, the human rights group added.
Kim chided the Philippine consulate's office, saying it is obliged to observe due respect on freedom of peaceful assembly and speech of its citizens abroad.
Despite the incident, all the Philippine diplomatic mission in Saudi Arabia did was to recommend for a review in the security arrangement within the consulate, according to Kim.
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(July 25, 2005 issue)
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