Pinoys in Saudi warned vs. 'repatriation agent'

As the amnesty deadline for illegal foreign workers in Saudi Arabia draws closer, Philippine officials in the Kingdom warned against a man promising repatriation to affected Filipinos in exchange for cash.

The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh on Thursday said the supposed agent, identified as Warren Villegas Soriano, has been the subject of complaints by Filipinos there.

"The Embassy strongly advises all Filipinos in Saudi Arabia against any dealings with MR. WARREN VILLEGAS SORIANO and any other individuals who promise to facilitate issuance of exit visas for any amount. The Embassy has not authorized any individual to facilitate issuance of exit visas in exchange for any payment," it said.

It added the issuance of exit visas may only be done through concerned Saudi authorities.

Citing a recent incident, the Embassy said group of Filipinos went to Riyadh International Airport based on promises made by Soriano that "they will be issued exit visas at the airport through an alleged high ranking official."

The group gave travel documents to Soriano, and got them back with supposed exit visa reference codes.

Soriano even indicated the seat numbers of the victims in the travel document, and claimed they had been booked flights to the Philippines.

"Each of the victims paid Mr. Soriano various amounts in facilitating the issuance of their exit visas," the Embassy said.

However, it turned out the exit visa reference codes on the travel documents were spurious, and the victims were denied by Saudi immigration authorities at the airport. — KBK, GMA News