Electrocuted OFW in Saudi home after 2 years

Alfredo Salmos

Alfred Salmos, the overseas Filipino worker who was severely electrocuted in Saudi Arabia two years ago, is finally home.

Salmos arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 on a Saudi Air flight from Jeddah at 12:50 p.m. Tuesday. He was welcomed by his family who turned emotional on seeing him.

From the airport, Salmos proceeded to the Coconut Palace to meet Vice President Jejomar Binay with his siblings Epifania Reem Salmos-Colina and Junny Salmos.

“We are very happy that after two years he’s finally home. We are very grateful to our government, to the nongovernment organizations and our brother’s fellow OFWs who worked together so we could be with him again,” Colina said.

“This only proves that the bayanihan spirit is alive and even ordinary Filipinos can be of help to our OFWs,” she added.

The 52-year-old Salmos suffered serious burns to the body when he was electrocuted after being accidentally sucked into a 14,000-volt breaker he was trying to shut down in 2010.

He was in a coma for one month and is still recuperating from his injuries. He has been unemployed since the accident in 2010.

Most of the wounds on his body have hardened into keloids—rough huge scars that grow larger—making it very difficult for him to move around.

Binay, also the presidential adviser on OFW concerns, said Salmos’ return was delayed due to the lack of a final exit clearance from his employer and a police clearance in connection with a car accident 10 years ago.

He said he worked with the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Labor and Employment, the Philippine consulate in Jeddah and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa) “to bring a concerted effort” to bear on the Saudi government to grant Salmos’ exit visa.

“We thank everyone who helped bring Alfred back home… those who posted information on social media networks like Facebook regarding Alfred’s condition, the media, NGOs like Patnubay Riyadh and Power of Prayers, as well as OFW advocates in Saudi Arabia, the Philippine consulate in Jeddah, DFA and Owwa,” Binay said.

Binay assured Salmos of continued help while he was recuperating.

“The Ople Center and the Office of the Vice President as well as other private organizations, I’m sure, will be there to support him,” he said.

Originally posted at 02:01 pm | Tuesday, May 22,  2012