This refers to a news report published in Arab News, “400 Saudi tourists swindled in Manila.” (Oct. 6)
The report is particularly about Saudis who are looking for household workers and drivers, victimized by recruitment brokers in Manila whose services the Saudis themselves sought. This kind of recruitment is not allowed in the Philippines.
The headline gives an impression that bonafide Saudi tourists are being swindled by unscrupulous entities in the Philippines by the hundreds, which is misleading.
The Saudi ambassador to Philippines even stated in the same report that those Saudis dealing with fraudulent brokers are breaking the recruitment agreement between the Philippines and the Kingdom.
The report clearly does not refer to ordinary Saudi tourists who are on vacation or on tour in the Philippines. There is no incident of massive fraud involving tourists, including Saudis, in the Philippines.
Imelda M. Panolong
Consul General of the Philippines, Jeddah
