The mysterious deaths of two Filipina Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Saudi Arabia have sparked urgent calls from their families and Philippine authorities for a thorough investigation, as suspicions of foul play overshadow initial reports of natural causes.
Jelyn Arguzon, who had only been in Saudi Arabia for a few weeks, reported being mistreated by her employer shortly before she went silent. Her husband, Jerriel Arguzon, recounted that Jelyn’s passport was confiscated and that she was subjected to degrading treatment. “Nung pagkalipat niya po sa ibang bahay, kinuha daw po ang passport nya… Minsan daw nagkakape siya, tinapon ang tasa niya,” Jerriel recalled.
When Jelyn’s family lost contact with her in late June, they approached her recruitment agency, Insana Int’l Placement Agency, for help. The agency assured them that Jelyn was fine and would soon return to the office. However, Senator Raffy Tulfo, chair of the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers, criticized the agency for failing to alert the Philippine Embassy or Saudi authorities, a lapse he deemed unacceptable.
On July 29, Jelyn’s family was devastated to learn of her sudden death, attributed to “cardiac arrest.” Unsatisfied with the explanation, Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac announced that a second autopsy would be conducted in the Philippines. “We cannot accept this conclusion without further investigation,” Cacdac emphasized, noting the NBI’s involvement in the upcoming autopsy.
In a separate case, Roilyn Sayson, another Filipina OFW, died under similarly suspicious circumstances. Her family last spoke to her on July 15, a day before her reported death. According to her husband, Sayson was frequently locked in a room by her employer, raising further doubts about the “natural death” explanation given by Saudi authorities.
The licenses of both recruitment agencies involved have been suspended pending investigation. The NBI has pledged to perform its own autopsy on the remains of the two OFWs, and the Department of Foreign Affairs has signaled its intent to pursue legal action against the employers in Saudi Arabia if evidence of wrongdoing is found.
The families of Jelyn and Roilyn are now urging the Philippine government to leave no stone unturned in uncovering the truth behind these tragic deaths, seeking justice for their loved ones.