The remains of an overseas Filipino worker from South Cotabato arrived in the Philippines on Wednesday evening, bringing closure to a family that had been awaiting his return from Saudi Arabia.
Cruzada, Bimboy Ocado, who had been working in Riyadh, was flown back to the country on January 15 through a coordinated repatriation effort led by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Region XII, in partnership with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Region XII. He was a resident of Barangay Poblacion, Polomolok.
Ocado’s remains landed at 7:44 p.m. aboard Philippine Airlines Flight PR2457, where the DMW–OWWA XII Repatriation Team facilitated the formal turnover to his family. Relatives were present during the handover, while the local government unit of Polomolok provided transportation to assist in bringing him home for burial.
According to authorities, Ocado died due to a brain aneurysm, a medical condition involving a weakened blood vessel in the brain that can become fatal when it ruptures. Such cases may develop without warning and are often difficult to detect prior to a medical emergency.
Following the arrival, DMW Region XII briefed the family on the assistance programs they may access, including the required documents for bereavement support under the AKSYON Fund. OWWA, through its Social Benefits Unit, also extended additional aid to support the family as they navigate the immediate aftermath of the loss.
Officials said the regional offices will continue to guide the family through the available government assistance processes in the coming days.
