Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay will be leaving for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to extend the country’s condolences to King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz al-Saud on the passing of Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz al-Saud.

 

Binay will represent President Benigno S. Aquino III on his visit, a news release of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) said.

Binay is scheduled to go to Riyadh on Thursday where he will also visit the Philippine Embassy and meet the Filipino community there.

The Crown Prince, 78, died of an unspecified lingering illness on June 16 at a hospital in Switzerland. 

A Reuters report said his death means the 89-year-old King Abdullah must nominate a new heir for the second time in nine months.

He, King Abdullah and Salman are among the nearly 40 sons of Saudi Arabia's founder, Abdulaziz ibn Saud, who established the kingdom in 1935.

 

In an official statement, Binay recognized Prince Nayef’s anti-terrorism efforts against al-Qaeda's branch in the kingdom. 
 

“Through his successful anti-terrorism campaign, the people living in Saudi Arabia, including millions of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW), were kept safe and out of harm’s way,” Binay said.
 

“I am grateful for Prince Nayef’s efforts to secure the welfare of our kababayans. Let us offer our prayers for the repose of his soul,” he added.

 

Meanwhile, Consul General Uriel Norman Garibay said Binay will try to meet the Filipino community in Jeddah after the visit if time permits. 

 

There is an estimated 1,512,539 OFWs in Saudi Arabia according to the latest data from the Commission on Filipinos Overseas. - with Ronaldo Concha, Andrei Medina VVP, GMA News