The remains of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who died after being struck by falling debris from an intercepted drone in Saudi Arabia have arrived at his hometown in Malasiqui, Pangasinan, where his family and loved ones are now holding a wake.
The victim, identified as Jayson Bolingon Martinez, was brought home on Friday, November 6, after his remains arrived in the Philippines aboard Saudia Airlines Flight SV862.
Martinez died on October 21 while driving near Saudi Aramco's Shaybah oilfield after debris from a drone intercepted by Saudi air defenses struck him.
The incident also claimed the life of a Nepali national and left two other foreign nationals injured, according to Saudi authorities.
Before his remains arrived, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Region 1 and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Region 1 visited the bereaved family to extend their condolences and assist in processing the documents required for his repatriation.
OWWA also provided the family with initial Special Financial Assistance (SFA) and assured them of continued support.
“Bilang paunang tulong, nagkaloob ang OWWA ng Special Financial Assistance (SFA) sa pamilya. Patuloy rin nitong gagabayan ang pamilya sa pagproseso ng iba pang kaukulang benepisyo, kabilang ang Death and Burial Assistance at Education and Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP), alinsunod sa umiiral na mga alituntunin para sa mga aktibong miyembro ng OWWA,” the OWWA said in a statement.
Under the ELAP, qualified dependents may receive educational assistance, while the family may also access livelihood support, subject to program eligibility requirements.
OWWA Region 1 Regional Director Marivic L. Mondina, DMW Region 1 Regional Director Christian Rey O. Sison, and DMW Assistant Secretary Maria Regina Angela Galias were among the officials who extended their condolences and assistance to the family.
The provincial government of Pangasinan, Malasiqui local government, and the local Public Employment Service Office (PESO) and Migrant Desk also joined the government's assistance efforts.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia's Energy Ministry confirmed that its air defenses intercepted a drone attempting to target a facility at the Shaybah oilfield in the Eastern Province on October 21.
The interception resulted in the deaths of a Filipino and a Nepali national, while two other foreign nationals were injured.
The ministry also reported that falling debris caused a fire in a contractor's vehicle outside the facility's perimeter, but oilfield operations were not affected.
OWWA and the DMW assured the bereaved family that government assistance would continue as they make arrangements for Martinez's burial and address their needs following the tragedy.
