Abused Filipino worker ends up in Saudi jail

MANILA, Philippines—Roger Patayan has been in prison for three months in Saudi Arabia for overstaying his visa.

His sister, Rachel Dacuman, told Susan K’s “Bantay OCW” on 990AM, that he ran away from his Saudi employer because he was being physically abused.

At the same time, Patayan was not being paid for his work, Cacuman said.

Patayan has been in Saudi Arabia for five years, Dacuman said, adding her brother stayed with his friend after he ran away from his employer.

Roussel R. Reyes, Vice Consul to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, told Susan K that an exit clearance from Patayan’s employer has already been issued.

Reyes said the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh was only waiting for an exit visa before Patayan could be repatriated to the Philippines.