Remains of OFW killed in Saudi drone attack arrive in PH

The remains of an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) killed in a drone attack in Saudi Arabia have been repatriated to the Philippines, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said Friday.

The agency said the OFW, a resident of Pangasinan, was killed during an intercepted drone attack last October 21 that targeted a facility at Saudi Aramco's Shaybah oilfield.

In a social media update, OWWA said the repatriation was carried out in coordination with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

Personnel from both agencies received the remains alongside the victim's family and officials from the Malasiqui local government unit.

OWWA assured the victim's family of continuous support, including financial and burial assistance.

“Bilang paunang tulong, nagkaloob ang OWWA ng Special Financial Assistance (SFA) sa pamilya. Patuloy rin nitong gagabayan ang pamilya sa pagproseso ng iba pang kaukulang benepisyo, kabilang ang Death and Burial Assistance at Education and Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP), alinsunod sa umiiral na mga alituntunin para sa mga aktibong miyembro ng OWWA,” the agency said.

(As initial aid, OWWA provided Special Financial Assistance (SFA) to the family. The agency will continue to assist them in processing other eligible benefits, including Death and Burial Assistance and the Education and Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP), in accordance with existing guidelines for active OWWA members.)

OWWA extended its condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the eternal peace of the victim's soul.

During the October 21 drone attack, Reuters reported that falling debris from the interception killed two Saudi residents, one Filipino, and one Nepali, while injuring two residents, one Pakistani and one Indian.

The attack occurred amid escalating missile and drone strikes targeted at the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement.

Reports noted that falling debris also triggered a vehicle fire outside the facility's perimeter, but did not affect the operations at the oilfield. —VAL, GMA News