Overstayers camped inside the Philippine Embassy grounds have refused appeals by Ambassador Ezzedin H. Tago and other officials to relocate to a rented resthouse to shelter the mothers and their children.
“I am deeply concerned about the health and safety of the campers, especially the children,” the Filipino envoy said. He added that while the embassy is aware of their desire to be repatriated immediately, it would be best for all of them to go to the resthouse and remain there while the embassy processes their repatriation.
Tago and other embassy officials earlier met with 72 Filipinos who had entered and set up camp inside the embassy grounds.
“The dialogue occurred as a sandstorm started. Earlier, two dialogues initiated by embassy officials were also held,” he said.
The Filipinos camped inside the embassy grounds include 30 women, 21 children and infants, and 21 men.
Tago said that the embassy has been making representations for the expeditious repatriation of overstaying Filipinos in Riyadh, including the mothers and children who had earlier registered with the embassy for assistance.
He added that the embassy will continue to extend assistance to the Filipinos camped inside the embassy.
“Our offer for temporary relocation remains despite hesitation from the group,” he said.
