OFW accused of stealing wedding ring in KSA exonerated, repatriated

A Filipina accused of stealing a SR375,000 (P4.3-million) wedding ring in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been exonerated and repatriated with compensation, the Philippine Embassy in the KSA said. The Embassy said the Filipina, who it did not name, was repatriated last August 21, after the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in the Eastern Region worked for her exoneration. “In addition to dropping the case, the employer gave to the Filipina SR10,000 (P112,868) as a gesture of compensation, as the case had dragged on for the last four months, and also gave her an amount equivalent to the salaries that she should have received for the said period of time," the Embassy said in a news release on its website Saturday. Labor Attaché Adam Musa led efforts to have the Filipina exonerated and eventually repatriated to the Philippines, the Embassy said. Also, the Embassy said the Filipina’s sponsor issued her exit visa and a one-way ticket to the Philippines. The Filipina had been staying at the Saudi Social Welfare Authority of Dammam for the past four months. Last June, the employer filed a case in court against the Filipina for allegedly stealing a wedding ring. A report on Arab News said the maid was detained at the Dammam Central Jail for five days. Militant OFW advocacy group Migrante Middle East described the OFW as 29 years old. Last Aug. 21, it said she sent a text message saying "everything is settled" and she may go home soon. Migrante said the OFW’s employer agreed to withdraw the case against her after officials of the Saudi Social Welfare Agency promised to arrange to raise an amount as payment for the "lost" wedding ring.