OFW jailed in Saudi to return home soon

MANILA, Philippines - An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who served one year in jail in Saudi Arabia for a drug-related offense will be repatriated soon, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

The Philippine embassy in Riyadh reported that Jose Jonathan Bigas was scheduled to be repatriated last month but due to administrative procedures between the Saudi court and the Governor’s Office, he remains incarcerated at the Dammam Reformatory Jail. Embassy officials asked concerned Saudi authorities to inquire into this matter.

The Embassy said it is making funds available for the repatriation of Bigas, who was originally sentenced to one year imprisonment and 250 lashes in August 2007. Bigas finished serving his term in August 2008.         – Pia Lee-Brago