07/22/2011 | 05:49 PM
http://www.gmanews.tv/An undocumented overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Saudi Arabia was found dead inside his rented flat in Dammam, according to a labor group.
Migrante-Middle East quoted Dammam-based labor organization Kasanga as saying that a certain Leonardo Bascos, 58, of Iloilo province, was found dead at around 6 p.m. Thursday inside his flat.
"His flat mates and fellow OFWs found him inside his room without any sign of life, according to the reports we received from a Kasanga officer," Migrante-Middle East regional director John Leonard Monterona said.
Medical reports noted that Bascos died due to multiple organ failure secondary to cancer of the liver, according to Migrante-Middle East.
Bascos' remains lie at the morgue of Dammam central hospital, the group added.
Bascos, who arrived in Saudi Arabia in 1981 to work as a painter, had been undocumented for 10 years, after he ran away from his employer for non-payment of salary and illegal deductions.
"Kasanga endorsed Bascos' case to Philippine Overseas Labor Offices-Overseas Workers Welfare Administration [POLO-OWWA] in Al-Khobar on the first week of June and requested that he be given assistance and attend to his deteriorating condition," Monterona said.
GMA News Online tried contacting POLO-OWWA in Al-Khobar, but no one was answering the phone as of this posting.
Monterona said Kasanga's request to provide medical assistance to Bascos "was never attended by POLO-OWWA in Al-Khobar."
"Again, this is a clear case of disservice by apathetic and inept POLO-OWWA officials to a sick OFW who needs medical attention and care," he pointed out.
Monterona said Migrante officials in Al-Khobar are now coordinating with POLO-OWWA to inform the families as soon as possible and attend for the immediate repatriation of his remains.
“We will be asking POLO-OWWA to provide assistance to the family of Bascos, such as burial and other financial assistance as for sure he was once a member of OWWA until his being undocumented ten years ago," he added. — With Haydee Enriquez/JE, GMA News
Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=42452.0
