JEDDAH, 21 November 2005 — A Filipino pharmacist victimized by a hit-and-run driver; an amok who burned himself to death; an optical technician who was refused his end-of-service benefits.
These are but a few of the recent cases solved by Leonor Mohammad Gile, which he would rather not talk about in public. These cases, however, and many others he helped solve, made him popular to distressed OFWs in the Asir Region of Saudi Arabia.
“We women are not afraid to ask his help because we know he will look after our welfare. For us, he has been our hero for the past 20 years,” says Angel Esteros.
Gile's acts of heroism came to light recently when he was chosen recently as one of the winners of the 2005 Bagong Bayani (New Hero) Award for Community Service by the Philippine government’s Bagong Bayani Foundation, Inc. President Gloria Arroyo is to present the award to Gile and other winners early next month during a ceremony at Malacañang Palace in Manila.
The 58-year-old, a native of Sorsogon in the eastern Philippine region of Bicol, has worked in Bisha for the past 20 years as flower arranger. When not arranging flowers for various occasions, he is out helping others. And he does that without reservation, oftentimes, without regard for his own safety, say those who know him.
He isn’t cowed by threats to his own self, or even imprisonment, as long as he can help.
“My creed has always been, ‘Kapag may katwiran ka, ipaglaban mo!’ (Fight for your right). I do my best to help every Filipino worker who needs help and assistance anytime without expecting something in return,” Gile told Arab News.
The pharmacist he helped finally went home to the Philippines in September. She was left unattended for more than a year. When Gile took over her case, she was awarded close to 1.5 million pesos in damages.
Gile was able to prove and convince the family of an OFW who went berserk in Bisha that there was no foul play when he eventually burned himself to death after stabbing three other OFWs.
The optical technician finally got his due after his employer harassed him so that he can avoid paying his end-of-service benefit for 11 years. Gile supported the distressed OFW for more than a year during litigation of the case that he eventually won.
“He (Gile) deserves the award because of his track record as the best (consular) coordinator in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In behalf of the consulate we feel great and we are very happy for him. Imagine, they were able to find the bagong bayani in Asir Region,” says Labor Attaché Bulyok Nilong.
OFWs whom Gile had helped were overjoyed after learning that he won the award.
Bong Mijares said Gile should have been recognized as a new hero long ago.
“He should have long been awarded this title. The title is not enough to recognize his efforts. Most of all, OFWs must follow his ways. He is humble, he helps to the best he can, and most of all, and he doesn’t leave those in need until they are in good hands. We, in Bisha, salute him!” Mijares said.
Gile said he couldn’t have done all these without the help of many people. “I have helped a lot of fellow OFWs through the support of others, especially Consul General Lomondot and others in the consulate (in Jeddah). Most of all, I thank the Almighty God for his divine intervention and guidance every step of the way. Without him I could do nothing,” he said.
