Gov’t brings home OFW freed from death row in Saudi Arabia

Metro Manila, Philippines — The Philippine government has secured the release and repatriation of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia on drug-related charges.

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac told reporters on Thursday, June 12, that the government will provide livelihood assistance to the worker.

“Bibigyan namin siya ng financial assistance at tulong para makapagtayo ng negosyo. Sabi niya sa akin kahapon, gusto niya muling makapagtrabaho so tutulungan din naman siya do’n,” Cacdac said.

[Translation: We will give him financial assistance to start a business. He also told me that he wants to return to work, so we will also help him in that.]

In a statement, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said the worker, who was convicted on Sept. 24, 2024, was granted freedom after diplomatic and legal efforts.

The OFW had been arrested in April 2023 and was detained at Riyadh General Jail in September 2023.

The DMW said the worker was repatriated on June 10 and is staying at a Pasay City hotel in care of the government pending his return to his hometown in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte.

Cacdac said there are 60 OFWs on death row abroad, mostly in Malaysia.

He said the DMW is strengthening its legal assistance programs to help distressed OFWs.