Pinoy truck driver killed in Riyadh wanted to be at his child's graduation

The wife of Filipino truck driver Florentino Santiago said her husband was due to return to the Philippines in March next year for the graduation of their eldest child.

 

Jocelyn Santiago said she even spoke to her husband hours before the accident.

 

A Reuters report on Friday said at least 23 people were killed when a fuel truck crashed into a flyover in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Thursday, triggering an explosion that brought down an industrial building and set fire to nearby vehicles.

 

State-owned Ekhbariya television news channel reported on that the death toll had risen to 23 and emergency workers were still searching the collapsed building for more victims or survivors. Health ministry spokesman Saad al-Qahtani said 135 people were injured, mostly men and including some foreigners.

 

Although the incident took place near the headquarters of the Saudi Arabian National Guard and the Prince Nayef Arab University for Security Studies, officials speaking on state television said it was an accident.

 

Jocelyn said her husband's co-worker called to inform her about the incident.

 

She learned that her husband was about 200 meters away from the explosion. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson Raul Hernandez told GMA News Online in a text message on Friday that the victim just happened to be in the area when the accident happened.

 

Repatriation of remains  

Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ezzedin Tago said the remains of Florentino may be repatriated to the Philippines in four to five weeks.

 

In an interview over GMA Network's "News To Go" program on Friday, Tago said Florentino's family has been informed about the procedure for repatriating his remains.

However, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) on Friday said it will work to speed up the process of repatriating Florentino's remains.

 

In an interview over radio dzBB, OWWA Adminsitrator Carmelita Dimzon said OWWA welfare officer in Riyadh will work with the Philippine embassy in speeding up the repatriation of Santiago's remains. Dimzon also assured Florentino's family of assistance and benefits. "May death benefit na matatanggap ng kanyang family. May scholarship grants for one of the children, may livelihood assistance para sa wife," Dimzon said. - with a report from Reuters/ VVP/ HS, GMA News