Based on records of the Philippine Embassy in Jeddah, there are about 5,000 OFWs currently working in Najran, Jizan in Saudi Arabia.
JEDDAH, KSA — The Saudi-led coalition and Iran-backed Houthi rebels are in an ongoing war at the border of Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
According to a report from Saudi Press Agency last week, the Saudi Air Defense Forces had successfully intercepted one of the scud ballistic missiles that had been released by Houthi militia.
Due to the ongoing conflict, several Filipinos working near the border fear for their safety.
Those working in Najran, have been hearing loud explosions almost everyday.
Victor Luna, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Najran narrates, “Dito ngayon palagi kaming nakakarinig ng bomba araw-araw. Sa gabi hindi kami masyadong makatulog, sa lakas ng pagsabog dito. Minsan yung CR (comfort room) namin, kumalabog. Yun ang sitwasyon namin dito.”
(There are bombings almost everyday. At night, we could barely sleep. Our bathroom would sometimes shake from the blasts. That’s our situation here.)
Some of them hesitate on leaving despite the escalating tension.
As OFW Nico Lim shares, “Sa totoo lang po, kung tatanungin nyo po, ang pangamba sa aming buhay, ay talagang plano naming lumikas kaso… ang kaso po papaano po kami lilikas kung ang sitwasyon po namin na aabutan sa ating bayan (Pilipinas) eh mas masahol pa sa kamatayan.”
(We fear for our safety and of course, we want to leave. But how can we when the life waiting for us back home is worse than death.)
Even so, more OFWs are crying for help from the Philippine government.
“Gusto namin ng ipaabot ito sa embahada na bigyan ng aksyon ang mga Pilipino dito. Marami kasi kami dito, lalo na sa bayan….Marami na talagang mga Pilipino na gusto nang umuwi,” OFW Luna appealed.
(We appeal to the embassy to act on our situation here. We are so many here particularly in the city….So many Filipinos really want to go home now.)
Philippine Consulate General to Jeddah Vice Consul Alexander Joseph Estomo said, the Philippine government has not issued any alert level to the Filipino community in Najran.
Still, the embassy is doing a continuous information drive on what the Filipinos must do should the conflict worsen in their area.
Due to the increasing frequency of mortar attacks in Najran, the embassy is encouraging OFWs to coordinate closely with their employers who are primary responsible for the overseas workers’ safety.
The Vice-consul also directed affected Filipinos to the consulate’s website and Facebook account for important advisories.
Should the situation turn for the worse, the consulate is ready to execute the necessary measures.
“Magtalaga po ng isang crisis management team o mga tauhan po ng consulate na magmo-monitor po nang closely… para makipag-coordinate sa mga Filipino community at sa mga employers ng mga kababayan natin doon at kung kinakailangan po ay magbigay po ng ayuda sa mga kababayan po natin na nangangailangan ng tulong.”
(We shall deploy a crisis management team or consular personnel to closely monitor the situation. They will coordinate with the Filipino community and with the employers of our compatriots and if necessary, we will give them assistance.)
Vice-consul Estomo has this advise to OFWs who wish to go home to the Philippines.
“Ang pwedeng gawin ng ating mga kababayan pwede naman po silang mag-file ng resignation. Kailangan lang po talaga nilang ipaalam din po sa kanilang mga employers formally yung kanilang concerns. Makipag-coordinate po sila sa kanilang mga recruitment agencies kung meron, at sa POLO-OWWA para maayos po yung kanilang final exit visa po at makauwi sila sa Pilipinas or maayos yung kanilang transfer kung yun ang kanilang gustong mangyari.”
(Our compatriots [in affected areas] may submit their resignation to [their respective employers]. They need to coordinate with their recruitment agencies if they have one and to the POLO-OWWA to settle all the necessary documents for their final exit visa so they could eventually leave for the Philippines hassle-free.)
Based on records of the embassy in Jeddah, there are about 5,000 OFWs currently working in Najran, Jizan in Saudi Arabia. (MARIO ESCOTO / UNTV News)
The post Filipinos stranded at Saudi-Yemen border as tension continues appeared first on UNTV News.