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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Malacañang extends sympathies, help to 282 OFWs who died in Saudi Arabia

Malacañang extends sympathies, help to 282 OFWs who died in Saudi Arabia

Published Jun 21, 2020 12:00 am
By Genalyn Kabiling  Malacañang has offered sympathies after 282 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) died in Saudi Arabia and promised to extend assistance to their families. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the remains of 50 OFWs who died due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) will be buried in Saudi Arabia based on the local customs of the host country. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. (YANCY LIM/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr.
(YANCY LIM / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) The rest will be brought back to the Philippines, Roque said, based on the information from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). "The Palace commiserates with the families and loved ones of the 282 OFWs who died in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Concerned agencies of the government have already been directed to extend assistance to their families," he said in a statement Sunday, June 21. "We offer our prayers to the deceased and to those they left behind," Roque added. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III earlier disclosed the Saudi government has given the Philippine government 72 hours to bring home the deceased OFWs. Bello, in a radio interview, said they intend to deploy three chartered flights for the repatriation of the dead. The cause of deaths of other OFWs was not specified. As of June 21, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported that 6,141 Filipinos abroad have been infected by COVID-19. Of the latest number, 2,783 are undergoing treatment, 2,862 have recovered, while 496 died due to the illness.
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