Widow of COVID-19 case in Saudi Arabia asks that body be sent home

The wife of an Overseas Filipino Worker who died of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Saudi Arabia has pleaded for his remains to be sent home.

According to JP Soriano's report for "24 Oras," Ruperto Llorando, 55, developed pneunomia and passed away shortly after testing positive for COVID-19.

He was supposed to be on his final year of working abroad after serving as a supervisor and engineer for 12 years.

"Ang request po namin mapauwi 'yung asawa ko, kasi naiitindihan naman namin na kahit nandito na hindi naman namin siya talaga puwedeng iburol," said Ruperto's wife.

"Ang importante po mapauwi sila para may pagkakataon naman na kami na madalaw siya kahit nga 'yung sa puntod na lang or kung cremated at least meron kaming makikita na 'yun 'yung asawa ko," she added.

READ: Remains of 353 OFWs in Saudi Arabia up for disposition — envoy

Malacañang, however, said that OFWs who died of COVID-19 will have to be buried in Saudi. Only those who died of other causes will be repatriated to the Philippines.

A total 72 OFWs in Saudi passed away due to COVID-19. Among them, 20 have already been buried after their families gave consent.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is contacting the families of the remaining 52 OFWs.

The Philippine government has three days to retrieve the remains of OFWs, as cremation is not allowed in Islam. After the deadline, the employers will arrange for the bodies to be buried in Saudi. —MGP, GMA News