Families grieve as bodies of 2 OFWs killed in Saudi Arabia accident arrive

The remains of the two Filipino construction workers who were killed after being hit by a vehicle in Saudi Arabia arrived in the country on Tuesday, GMA News' Cedric Castillo reported on 24 Oras on Tuesday.

The families of Mark Lancelot Agdan and Joel Banhaon broke down in tears in front of the crates containing the bodies of the two.

"Masakit po kasi ito na po 'yung huling sundo namin, patay na po siya," Ruperta Banhaon, mother of Joel, said.

Joel's widow Leonora recalled that she was able to talk to her husband the night before the accident happened.

"Sabi ko po sa kanya kasi kinabukasan na lang po kami mag-usap at may pasok nga po 'yung mga anak ko. Pagkagising ko po, tinawagan ko po agad siya, 'di na po sumagot. Tumawag po 'yung kasamahan sa trabaho na naaksidente nga daw po sila," she said.

Last March 4, the two workers were riding their bicycles when they were hit by a vehicle being driven by a 15-year-old Pakistani. The suspect is currently detained in Jubail.

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Deputy Administrator Arnel Ignacio vowed to assist the bereaved families of the victims.

"Ang importante ngayon... kasi sila lumapit na sila sa OWWA few weeks ago and unahin natin kung paano natin maiibsan 'yung hirap nila ngayon," Ignacio said.

Edrelyn Cauntoy

Meanwhile, the domestic helper who was locked inside the stockroom and forced to eat spoiled food by her employer has also returned to the country.

Edrelyn Cauntoy said she arrived in the country on March 24 but stayed first in Manila before going to her hometown of Bago in Bacolod City.

"Sana sa mga OFW din na kung una pa lang medyo ano na 'yung mga kalagayan nila, sana maaksyunan din agad at para di na sila mahirapan," Cauntoy said.

The report also said 34 children, together with their parents, have also returned home from Kuwait after availing the country's amnesty program. —Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA News