The Filipino spirit beckons: How about tuning in on the distressed OFWs in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia?

(Note: This is a first-person account from Arman Muleem, reporting from Saudi Arabia. This column’s space leaves it to PN readers who wish to hearken to the Philippines’ needy in that part of the globe. Muleem ‘s telling attempt depicts how the OFWs would welcome any fiscal amount, hence his determined efforts to reach the Cyber Prayer Warriors, a 501 C-3 non-profit association, registered with the State of California, under the leadership of Colonel Butch Moreto, AFP (ret.) class ’54, Philippine Military Academy. Colonel Moreto can be reached at: 4 Sea Breeze Court, Pacifica, CA 94044. It will be remembered that the

same prayer warrior group provided tremendous assistance in providing meals to thousands of victims of the tropical storms that visited Manila’s metropolis in 2009.)

Author Muleem writes: “After two (2) days of incessant rains that covered Jeddah into a city of floating cars and debris, the Saudi Police finally swooped down on the expatriates (Pinoys, Indonesians, Indians, Bangladeshis and other nationalities) who had been camping for several months under the bridge of Khandara where the flood rose up the chest level. Thinking that they would at last be brought to the Saudi Immigration for processing and repatriation, the runaways– some with children and infants – folded their mats, packed their meager belongings and, at 10 P.M., when most streets were still flooded, gladly walked all the way to the Deportation Center where they spent the night, unmindful of the crowded rooms and cold concrete floors. Their anticipation was doused the following morning when they were ordered to report to their respective consulates. At 8:00 A.M., under an overcast sky that threatened to open up anytime, the Pinoy runaways – men, women and children, accompanied by concerned community leaders who had companied them since they left the bridge, began the march to the Consulate several kilometers away. Babies on their mothers’ arms while clutching bags and boxes, small kids with heavy backpacks tugging on the abayas of their mothers who were carrying suitcases and cartons, most of them being assisted by chivalrous Pinoys who could not stand the sight of Pinays burdened with heavy loads.

“Tired, perspiring, hungry, thirsty and scared, the marchers reached the Consulate after a couple of hours…only to be told that they, Filipinos, born of Filipino parents and raised in the Philippines, ‘cannot’ go inside the Philippine Consulate! Thus began the nightmare. Left with no choice, the runaways set up camp on a vacant lot outside the compound of the Consulate. A big tent was put up, but was later dismantled on orders of the Saudi Police who would allow small tents only that could accommodate 2-4 persons. ‘And no picture taking, please.’

“No cameras. Fearing that more rains might soon fall, the Filipino Community leaders immediately sprang into action. Spreading in all directions, cell phones in hand, the community leaders mobilized their colleagues and members of their respective organizations. Before dark, some 20 small tents were distributed to the runaways. Several pieces of synthetic sacks were sewn together to form one large protective material, hanged low enough so as not to attract attention, but served as protection against fog and slight drizzles for those who had no tents. Cartons of noodles, canned goods, sacks of rice, gallons of water, coffee jars, milk, sugar, butter, loaves of bread, stoves and other essentials arrived – courtesy of generous compatriots who were more sympathetic to the runaways than the Consulate officials who were supposed to assist them! Like wildfire, news about the runaways and the insensitiveness of arrogant consular officials who act as though they own the spacious consulate building, spread in the Pinoy community.” (The plight of our unfortunate compatriots also reached the ears of a benevolent Princess who dug into her royal pouch for the purchase of additional tents, food, milk, kitchen equipments, medicines and other supplies. Some kindhearted Saudis also donated food supplies.)

(To be continued…)