Filipino killed in intercepted drone attack near Saudi oilfield

A Filipino died in an intercepted drone attack targeting an oilfield facility in Saudi Arabia, the Reuters news agency reported, quoting the country's energy ministry.

According to the Reuters report, Saudi air defenses intercepted the drone as it was attempting to hit a facility at Saudi Aramco's Shaybah oilfield on Wednesday.

"The attempted attack resulted in the deaths of two residents, one Filipino and one Nepali, and injuries to two residents, one Pakistani and one Indian due to falling debris following the interception," the ministry said.

The incident caused a fire in a vehicle outside the facility's perimeter but did not affect operations at the field, the ministry said, citing an official source.

The development comes amid an escalation of missile strikes by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis on the kingdom.

Saudi Arabia has responded to Houthi attacks with a wave of strikes on missile launcher sites, vowing to protect the kingdom, and says it has intercepted many ballistic missiles fired by the group.

On October 10, three Filipinos were wounded in an attack at the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. At least 12 people were killed and over 300 were wounded in the incident.

The DMW said Tuesday the medical condition of the three injured Filipinos was improving.

A total of 84 overseas Filipino workers have been repatriated from Saudi Arabia this week amid tensions between the kingdom and Houthi rebels.

In a message to GMA News Online, Administrator PY Caunan of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) acknowledged receiving information about the incident. Caunan said the OWWA was coordinating with Saudi authorities and Saudi Aramco regarding the official details.

"Nakatanggap ang Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) ng mga ulat hinggil sa pagkasawi umano ng isang Pilipino sa isang pag atake sa Saudi Arabia. Kasalukuyang hinihintay ng ahensya ang pormal na ulat mula sa mga awtoridad ng Saudi Arabia at sa kinatawan ng kumpanya upang makumpirma ang mga detalye ng insidente," Caunan said.

(The OWWA has received reports about the alleged death of a Filipino in an attack in Saudi Arabia. The agency is currently awaiting the formal report from authorities in Saudi Arabia and company representatives to confirm details about the incident.)

She said the OWWA would provide additional information upon official verification, while ensuring the privacy and well-being of the affected family.

The OWWA chief likewise assured that the agency's team in Saudi Arabia, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), and the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh are closely monitoring the situation.

"Nakahanda ang ahensya na magbigay ng nararapat na tulong at suporta sa pamilya (The OWWA is ready to provide the appropriate assistance and support to the family)," Caunan said.

The OWWA earlier said it was arranging the repatriation of about 300 OFWs in coordination with the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and Migrant Workers Office in Saudi Arabia.

GMA News Online has also requested comment on the matter from the Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

Earlier, the DFA said the Philippines reaffirms its solidarity with Saudi Arabia in protecting its nationals and residents, including nearly one million Filipinos based in the Middle Eastern country. — with a report from Jean Mangaluz/ VDV, GMA News