MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 6, 2013) – A 36-year old Filipino nurse stranded in Saudi Arabia has died from a lingering illness, according to the Filipino migrants rights group Migrante-Middle East and North Africa (M-MENA).
It said Louie Bedaho Belista, a native of Nueva Vizcaya, died at the “Tent City” in Jeddah. Citing reports from Jeddah, Migrante said the distressed Filipino died from his long battle with asthma.
Marlon Gatdula, chairperson of Migrante-Jeddah, said the Filipino had been helping sick and stranded Filipino workers at the Tent City since April. Distressed Filipino workers have put up tents and stayed besides the Philippine Consulate building as they demanded government assistance for their repatriation.
According to Gatdula, Belista was twice confined in hospital in Jeddah, but unfortunately there were no proper medication given to the Filipino without assistance from the Philippine Consulate.
“His remains lies at King Fahad Hospital morgue. His kin was already informed by our Migrante official. Prior to his death, Mr. Belista sought assistance from Migrante after he complained no medical assistance from Philippine Consulate and labor officials,” Gatdula said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
Belista was the 6th Filipino to die at the Tent City.
John Leonard Monterona, Migrante MENA coordinator, who said two children and an old woman, who was sick, died in June at the Philippine Consulate shelter. Two others also perished in the shelter.
Monterona said they have repeatedly warned the Aquino government and the consulate to fast track the repatriation of distressed and stranded Filipinos, especially those with children, and sick women and the old.
Migrante has condemned Manila’s inaction at the plight of the stranded Filipinos in Saudi. “We condemn the government inaction and hold the Aquino administration accountable on the deaths of the six distressed, stranded old and sick OFWs in Jeddah. Amid its posturing that it is ready to provide assistance, distressed and stranded OFWs are crying for government on-site assistance,” he said.
“Six reported death already at the Tent City since April. We are not counting, but the numbers may increase if there is no medical assistance and their supposed immediate repatriation has been delayed noting that the November 1 deadline imposed by the Saudi government,” Monterona said.
“Ipinapain lang ng gobyernong Aquino, tulad din ng mga nakaraang administrasyon, ang pondo ng gobyerno na dapat para sa social services at on-site protection na mga OFWs. Bilyung-bilyong piso ang nakukurakot ng mga kurap na politiko samantalang tinitipid at pahirapan maglabas ng pondo para sa kagalingan at proteksyon naming mga OFWs,” he added.
Migrante-MENA said there are at least 400 stranded OFWs in Jeddah who are seeking repatriation. (Mindanao Examiner)
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