OFW arrested in Saudi Arabia for possession of pirated CDs

Warning: Possession of pirated CDs can be dangerous to your safety and health.

The Department of Labor and Employment issued the warning yesterday to departing overseas Filipino workers, particularly for those bound for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas said that a Filipino worker suffered a mild heart attack after he was arrested upon arrival in Saudi Arabia due to illegal possession of pirated CDs. Sto. Tomas declined to identify the arrested Filipino worker to protect his welfare and future employment overseas.

According to Sto. Tomas, the Filipino worker left the country on Aug. 23 and was supposed to work as secretary for a certain company in Saudi Arabia but he never got to report for his job because he was nabbed.

"He was immediately arrested by the Saudi police upon arrival at the Damman Airport when they found the fake CDs in his possession," Sto. Tomas said while adding that they have also received information that the worker suffered a mild stroke while in jail.

Sto. Tomas said the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Riyadh learned of the incident through another Filipino worker Ronaldo Pineda, who works as X-ray technician at the Damman Airport. Pineda informed the POLO that the arrested worker signed a written confession that he intended to sell the fake CDs in his workplace.

The worker was asked to pay SAR16,000 which is equivalent to P240,000 as penalty for the confiscated CDs but his employer only committed to give him SAR3,000.

Sto. Tomas said labor officials are negotiating with Saudi authorities for the release of the Filipino, who is now languishing in Damman Airport Jail.