OFW Arrested For Murder of Tunisian Co-Worker in Saudi Arabia
An overseas Filipino worker has been arrested after he allegedly stabbed to death a Tunisian colleague in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, a report from ABS-CBN News said.
The unnamed Filipino, 48, and married with children, has been working as kitchen staff in a Jeddah hotel for the past nine years.
Consul General Edgar Badajos of the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah said their initial investigation, the incident took place on July 20 when the OFW was told to report to work on his day off.
“According to his fellow workers, nagreport itong si kababayan, irritated. Kasi nga naka-off duty siya, pinareport siya,” Badajos said.
The Filipino and his colleague then got into a physical confrontation that lead to the stabbing of the latter. In his defense, the OFW said he only acted in self defense after claiming that the Tunisian colleague punched him in the head first.
“And defense ng ating kababayan ay self-defense kasi nga sinuntok siya sa ulo eh,” ani Badajos.
The Philippine Consulate is monitoring the case and will provide legal assistance to the OFW.
“Ang aming message to the family at sa ating mga kababayang sumusubaysay sa kasong ito, of course we are providing assistance to our kababayan, giving him legal representation to ensure he will get a fair trial,” ani Badajos.
According to the Philippine Consulate, four Filipino colleagues who witnessed the incident can act as witnesses.
The Filipino is currently detained as investigation continues.
Under Saudi Arabian laws, murder is punishable by death.