The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of the Philippines has blacklisted a firm for assaulting a Filipino, McCormick A. Rabina.

DFA Spokesman Charles Jose said the employer should pay the hospital bills of the victim, who is still at the Saudi German Hospital.

His hospital bill since May has now reached SR250,000. Rabina is reportedly under the sponsorship of an ice cream company. With the suspension, the employer could not recruit manpower from the Philippines unless it pays Rabina’s hospital bills to settle the case.

Sources claimed that if the amount remains unpaid, Philippine officials will likely turn to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to which Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) pay membership fees.

Rabina has recovered from injuries and is now in stable condition but could not be discharged because his hospital bills remain paid. A local TV station has called Arab News, asking about Rabina’s contact number, saying “we would want to help.”

The Philippine mission in the Saudi capital announced recently that payment of the medical bills has been the subject of numerous discussions among embassy representatives, hospital officials, the medical insurance company and Rabina’s employer.

In a meeting with embassy representatives earlier this week, hospital officials mentioned that the insurance company denied the claim to cover his medical bills.

“The denial is due to certain details of the circumstances that led to the assault, which emerged during the police investigation of the case,” the embassy said.

The embassy added that after the meeting, Rabina was informed in detail on the issues related to his hospital bill and actions that have been taken and may be pursued with the hospital, insurance company and the employer.

“The embassy continues to assist him with the aim of resolving the matter of his hospital bills and facilitating his eventual discharge from the hospital,” the embassy said.

Embassy representatives have regularly visited Rabina and have coordinated with local law enforcement authorities over the case.

The embassy has also extended its appreciation to hospital management and staff for the care and hospitality extended to him.