DFA: Pinoy driver investigated for deadly truck blast in Riyadh

Published November 5, 2012 11:51am

(Updated 3:05 p.m.) A Filipino driver is being investigated for last week's deadly truck blast that killed at least 22 people, including a Filipino worker, in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesman Raul Hernandez identified the Filipino as Ruben Kebeng, who is currently being held by Saudi authorities. “We are waiting for the outcome of the investigation. We will provide legal assistance to the driver because he is a Filipino in need of help,” Hernandez said at a press briefing in Manila.

OFW guide: What family members can do if an OFW dies abroad

If an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) passes away abroad, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said there are certain procedures to follow in bringing home to the Philippines the remains of the deceased. In an interview with GMA News Online on Thursday, OWWA Advocacy and Social Marketing division officer-in-charge Reynaldo Tayag, said the following must take place before the remains of the deceased OFW can be repatriated: Click here for the complete article.

In an interview on dzBB radio, Hernandez said the investigation may "take some time." He did not elaborate.

Philippine Embassy officials were not allowed by Saudi authorities to talk to Kebeng because he is still under investigation, Hernandez said.

Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Ezzedine Tago, he said, will submit a note verbale or a diplomatic note to the Saudi government to allow them access to the Filipino.

“He is still a mere suspect. We are waiting for the outcome of the investigation,” Hernandez told a press briefing.

If needed, he said the Philippine government is ready to provide legal assistance to Kebang and to help him in his defense.

A report on Saudi-based news site Arab News quoted Tago as saying that Kebeng "has been working in the Kingdom for one year."

He also said the Philippine Embassy was refused consular access to the detained driver. A previous report, which had not identified his nationality, stated that the driver was distracted by another accident on the highway before crashing.

Tago added seven Filipino workers injured during the explosion were provided treatment in different city hospitals.

At least three were discharged over the weekend.

One of confined Filipinos remains in critical condition due to neck fracture and lower extremity paralysis.

“He was supposed to be operated on but he backed out, fearing this would render him totally paralyzed. We are still convincing him to undergo operation because his condition could be irreversible,” Hernandez said.

The embassy, on the other hand, is coordinating with the employer of the Filipino who perished in the accident so his remains could be repatriated immediately to the Philippines.

“It’s a long process but Ambassador Tago said last night they will try to expedite his repatriation,” Hernandez said.

The Arab News said police arrested the truck driver, who is allegedly responsible for the gas truck explosion, though Tago said he is not aware of the charges leveled against the driver.

But he said that the embassy will hire a lawyer to defend the driver.

Meanwhile, he said the hospitalized OFWs were documented workers and are entitled to medical insurance paid for by their employers. Saudi Arabia has the largest concentration of Philippine nationals in the Middle East region, hosting more than 1 million Filipinos, working in the skilled and unskilled sectors. – with Michaela del Callar/KG/HS/KBK/RSJ, GMA News

Tags: riyadhblast, fueltankerblast