Help on the way for Riyadh OFW in viral video

Help is on the way for the overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in  Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, who is seen in a viral video having what appears to be a breakdown.

"Bigla na lang po siyang nawala sa sarili [He just started acting strangely]," said Shernan Salom, the OFW's workmate who posted the video on social media.

Interviewed on Unang Hirit on Tuesday, Salom said he and the OFW went to work on the day the video was taken. He said the OFW just left his work area and was later seen wandering aimlessly outside.

"Bigla na lang tumawag yung kaibigan namin, yung katrabaho din namin, nagtatakbo na rito si Junjun, sabi niya [Our friend and workmate called saying Junjun is here running around]," Salom said.

Salom described the OFW, whom he has known for two months, as a friendly person who doesn't look like he has a big problem. He, however, learned from other OFWs that it was not the first time that the OFW had an episode.

"Sabi ng mga kasama niya dati... may past na daw po siya dati pero ngayon mas worse nga lang po [According to those who know him for a long time this has happened before already, only this time it has gotten worse]," he said.

The OFW's family in Cagayan de Oro is worried about him. In a separate interview on Unang Hirit, CJ Domasin, his sister, said they were able to talk to him on Monday.

"Maayos naman po siya pero halata mong balisa [He sounded okay but you could feel he's anxious]," said CJ, adding they were surprised when they saw the viral video.

Sought for comment, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration  (OWWA) chief Hans Leo Cacdac told Unang Hirit that OWWA and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Riyadh have already reached out to the OFW.

Cacdac said the OFW will be repatriated once he is declared medically fit to travel by a doctor.

"Nakadepende sa pagsusuri ng doktor. Kung siya ay hindi naman ganon kalubha ang sitwasyon at siya ay medically fit to travel ay isasaayos na natin yung kaniyang pagpapauwi. Hindi ko naman nakikita na hahadlangan ng employer ito," he said.

(If depends on the doctor's diagnosis. If the doctor says he is medically fit to travel then we'll immediately prepare for his repatriation. I don't think his employer would oppose this.)

Cacdac said OWWA-POLO will shoulder all the expenses related to the OFW, from medical to transportation to shelter, if needed. --KBK, GMA News