Dead Filipino Worker Found Hanging in Saudi Workplace, Wife Suspects Foul Play

A Filipino worker based in Saudi Arabia was found dead hanging within his workplace premises Wednesday afternoon, just days after allegedly receiving death threats from his co-workers, the victim’s wife said.

Before his dead body was found, Roger Dayanan reportedly told his wife Gilda that certain fellow worker named Riyad had threatened to kill him, according to a report by GMA News.

Gilda did not notice anything suspicious in her husband’s behavior during their last video call that took place on Tuesday.

“Tinawagan ko yung mobile phone niya (Roger) alas-dose (Wednesday) dahil tuwing alas dose ay magkatawagan kami. Ring lang ng ring ang cellphone nya, hindi nya sinagot.

May number ako sa kasama niya na si Donato. Nag-text ako, sabi ko saan ba si Roger, bakit ‘di nya sinagot tawag ko? Nag-text back si Donato at sinabi niyang nagbigti daw si Roger,” Gilda said.

In February, Gilda said Roger told her about the threat on his life from his co-workers in the farm where they were working.

Roger supposedly discovered an anomaly and the illegal activities of his co-workers. After that, Gilda said that her husband had been getting threats, and his co-workers had been stalking him and monitoring his activities, and even his phone calls were monitored.

Also, she said, Roger had sought the assistance of the Kaagapay ng Bawat OFW Advocates group so he would be rescued from the farm. The labor advocacy group immediately referred the matter to the Assistance to Nationals office of the Philippine Consulate in Jeddah. But Roger “committed suicide” before the recuse could be undertaken.

Vice Consul Lemuel Lopez, head of the Assistance to Nationals of consulate, said they have already informed Saudi authorities and Roger’s employer on the matter.

“We are suggesting to the family to have an autopsy conducted kasi ang proseso ng awtopsiya sa Saudi ay hindi automatic most especially sa mga suspicious deaths so we have to ask the ministry of foreign affairs,” Lopez said, adding that an investigation should be done to determine if there was foul play in the supposed suicide of the victim.