“Gemma Bansil, sister of one of the two OFWs, said that her brother and another OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) had not received any assistance from either the Philippine Embassy or the DFA in Manila,” Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona told Arab News on Tuesday.

He said that the sister e-mailed him to say that she had difficulty getting in touch with the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The Philippine Embassy e-mailed Migrante on Tuesday acknowledging receipt of its complaint.

“Please be informed that an official from the embassy has visited them and provided them with the appeal memorandum drafted by a Saudi Shariah lawyer in their behalf,” Third Secretary and Vice Consul Roussel R. Reyes said in the e-mail. “The embassy wishes to clarify that the culpability or innocence of the accused depends on the appreciation of evidence and facts submitted by the concerned authorities to the court.”

He added that regarding medicines they need, jail authorities would take them to a hospital if necessary. “The embassy will coordinate with the jail authorities regarding this matter as the latter’s permission is required before items can be brought inside the jail,” Reyes said.

The OFWs were detained on June 30, 2010, after the police found an undisclosed quantity of heroin when they conducted a “search and seize” operation in their accommodation in Hail. However, the two OFWs maintained that there were no drugs found in their possession but rather they had been framed.

On Oct. 4, 2010, the court issued a verdict saying the two OFWs were guilty. They were subsequently sentenced to three years in prison and 600 lashes.