JEDDAH, 9 October 2006 — Before joining any organiza-tion, check that their activities are not against Saudi or Philippines laws.

And before parting with your hard-earned money, make sure the people you are dealing with are accountable.

These, and more, are included in a press statement issued by the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh as a reminder for Filipinos in the Kingdom to avoid trouble.

The press statement dated Oct. 3, 2006, warned that the embassy’s recognition of the existence of an organization “does not constitute approval of their activities, which may violate the regulations of the host country, especially their activities held outside the embassy premises.”

A number of community members have asked the embassy to issue a warning follow-ing reports last month that Filipinos in Riyadh were being recruited by an organization to undergo police training.

Members were also reportedly being asked to pay a certain amount with the promise that they could get a gun with license when they return to the Philippines.

Leaders of the group, identified as the Sangguniang Masang Pilipino International (SMPII), immediately sought a meeting with Consul General Nestor N. Padalhin, chargé d’affaires of the embassy, after Arab News reported its alleged activities.

According to Padalhin, the group denied allegations that they were conducting police or military trainings.

Padalhin said the group also denied using logos of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Scanned copies of certificates allegedly issued by the group contained the DILG and PNP logos, and the signatory carried the name Maj. Elpidio Tanaliga Jr., with the title “commander in chief.”

Without mentioning any group, the embassy statement warned community members just the same to be “more vigilant against people who are out to take advantage of their ignorance or weakness and to deprive them of their hard-earned money.”

“The embassy has been receiving some reports in this regard,” it said.

At the same time, the embassy urged community members who have gripes against any organization or individuals to put their complaint in writing, “preferably in an affidavit form, attaching documentary evidence which can be verified in the Kingdom, in the Philippines, etc. as the case may be.” Padalhin said in an earlier interview that a written complaint is being required so that the embassy would have legal basis to take action.

Just Follow the Rules

In the same press statement, the embassy reiterated its previous reminders for Filipinos to simply avoid doing what’s not allowed by Saudi law so as not to get into trouble.

As guests in the Kingdom, it said, “Filipinos and other migrant nationalities are not only expected, but are obliged to follow and respect the local laws and regulations being enforced.”

At the start of September, the embassy said, 147 male Filipinos were in detention for various offenses in 10 different jails in Riyadh, and in the central and eastern regions.

It also said 109 female Filipino citizens were being detained at Al Nisa Women’s Jail as of the end of September, also for various offenses.

The 256 total, however, was down from 337 in the month of August, it noted. Most of those in jail were being punished for alcohol- and drug-related offenses, immorality, gambling (cockfighting and other forms of gambling), embezzlement and forgery.

“It is considered not only immoral, but also illegal, for men and women, in particular unmarried couples, to be seen together shopping or eating in a restaurant,” the embassy statement reminded Filipinos.

It also reminded those who are driving vehicles in the Kingdom “to be very extra careful in driving” as it noted a big number of road traffic accidents involving Filipinos and resulting in deaths. Of 22 reports of death received by the embassy for the month of September 2006, seven were due to road traffic or vehicular accidents, it said.

The statement noted a decline in the number of distressed Filipino women who have sought temporary shelter from the embassy’s Bahay Kalinga (BK), which is run by the POLO. It said there were only 71 compared to 175 in June this year.

“The embassy wishes to express sincere appreciation for the assistance extended by some Filipino community organizations (e.g. Tulong at Pag-asa sa OFW or Tupa, Ancop/Gawad Kalinga, Born Again Community, etc.) for providing airline tickets, food, basic necessities, etc. to the Filipinos thereat,” it said.