Report: Undocumented Pinoys camped out in Saudi clash with embassy staff

The tension among undocumented Filipinos camped near the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia grew worse as some Filipinos seeking repatriation engaged in scuffles with embassy staff this week. A report on Arab News said the clashes appeared to revolve around medical care, water, food, and places to wash and rest. In a news release, the Philippine embassy said some of the undocumented Filipinos who were "illegally camped" inside its compound harassed its security guard. "The continued hesitance of the campers to accept the Embassy’s offer to relocate puts at risk the health and well-being of the children," it said. Citing reports reaching it, the Philippine embassy said its security guard was collared by male members of the group. It said Camal, a Nepali national, was also kicked by women from the same group. "The incident occurred after the Embassy brought to hospital two of the children camped with their mothers inside the Embassy. One of the children had a fever while the other was suffering from hydrocephalus," it said. Doctors had cautioned that their continued exposure to the hot sun, rain and sandstorm risked the children's health. “I am saddened by the incident today against one of the Embassy’s staff. I am also deeply concerned for the health and well-being of the women, especially their children,” said Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ezzedin Tago. But Arab News said some Filipinos claimed the clash started when they were stopped from taking food and water to their companions inside the embassy grounds. The workers claimed there was a shortage of food and water from the Philippine embassy, which as well as a lack of places to rest, was causing health problems for them, especially their children. "It’s been four days since we started our protest against the Philippine embassy authorities and camped out here with no results so far," said Carlos Alpajora Jr., one of the protesters. “We cannot cook or take a bath because our water supply was completely cut off even in the embassy’s bathrooms,” said another. — BM, GMA News