Did helping a girl in distress get this OFW into trouble?

Nelson lived in Jeddah for 25 years. He considered himself very familiar with the laws and cultural norms in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

But he says a chance incident in a shopping mall led to his being kicked out of the Kingdom. He feels he is a victim of injustice.

He told Radyo Inquirer he was shopping in a mall when he noticed a young girl—probably less than 10 years old—calling for help because she had been pinned down by a bicycle.

Nelson instinctively came to the girl’s rescue, pulling up the big bicycle which had pinned her down. According to him, he was careful not to touch the girl because he knew it was prohibited in Saudi laws.

After helping the child, he continued his shopping. He was surprised when one of the guards at the mall approached him, telling him he had a problem. The guard reportedly told him that the mall’s security cameras showed he had molested a young girl. Nelson was brought to the security office of the mall. On their way to the office, Nelson claims the guard asked him for 1,200 Saudi riyals, saying it would solve his problem.

He said he refused to pay a bribe because he did not see anything wrong in the way he helped the girl, reportedly an Egyptian. Nelson met the girl and her parents at the security office. According to him, the parents of the girl told the guards they didn’t have any complaint against him.

Nevertheless, when the family left, Nelson was charged with sexual harassment and turned over to the police. Nelson stayed in jail for nine days.

An Arab friend eventually helped get him out of detention. His employer had also finally agreed to be his guarantor and sent a driver to pick him up. But Nelson said he was dumbfounded when the driver left him in the middle of the desert with no money. Fortunately, his mobile phone was returned to him and he was able to call a friend to fetch him.

Our kabayan thought his series of unfortunate events was over. But one day, policemen came to pick him up at his office, saying he had only been freed temporarily.

He was brought before a judge who sentenced him to two months detention and fifty lashes.

After serving his jail term, Nelson was deported back to the Philippines.

Nelson’s daughter came to the radio station to share his story. Bantay OCW Foundation as early as February 2011 brought the case to Labor Attache Vicente Cabe. The foundation also contacted the Philippine Consulate in Jeddah.

Assistance to Nationals (ATN) Officer Berlin Tolosa said the Consulate had provided a representative and an interpreter during Nelson’s case hearings.

But Nelson still feels hurt by what happened. Can he still seek justice?

According to a former Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, he can execute an affidavit of complaint addressed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Saudi Arabia to be coursed through the Department of Foreign Affairs on the alleged violation of his rights.

Susan Andes, a.k.a. Susan K is on board at RADYO INQUIRER 990 DZIQ AM, Monday to Friday, 7:00-8: 30 p.m.(Audio/ video live streaming: www.dziq.am); Hotlines: 5357209/  8819423/  0919.214.0699

E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected]