Binay defends driver in Saudi truck blast

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino truck driver Robin Kebeng, who has been jailed for his alleged involvement in a truck blast in Saudi Arabia, “remains innocent until proven guilty,” Vice President Jejomar Binay said yesterday.

Binay, presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers’ (OFWs) concerns, said the Philippine government has the utmost obligation to protect Kebeng and his right to a truthful investigation.

“He is entitled to a presumption of innocence. We cannot abandon him for that,” Binay said.

Kebeng, who has been provided with legal representation and other forms of assistance by the Aquino administration, was the driver of a gas tanker that exploded on a main road of Riyadh in Saudi Arabia and killed 22 persons, including one Filipino, and injured 11 others. He is now detained in a jail in Saudi Arabia.

“The government, especially our ambassador (in Saudi Arabia) is monitoring his case. It is not true that our embassy is neglecting the OFWs,” Binay said.

He said the public must understand that Saudi laws “prevent him from being shown in public” while he is under investigation.