ABU DHABI: At present, there are around 27 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) jailed in Abu Dhabi with most arrested for drugs, said Vice Consul Von Ryan Pangwi, head of the Philippine Embassy’s Assistance to Nationals (ATN) section.
Pangwi asked the OFW community to not get involved in drugs and other illegal activities. “Please don’t get yourselves involved in drugs or any other illegal things or activities that might get you in jail. If you know of anyone who was incarcerated, please inform the Philippine Embassy so we can help,” he said.
Serious case, such as drugs, entails an investigation that takes around six months during which the OFW stays in jail. The duration of this process is always dependent on the complexity of the case. OFWs found guilty and handed down jail term are deported after serving time.
Pangwi did not disclose how many of the 27 jailed OFWs were in for drug-related offenses. He said other OFWs were in for theft and unpaid loans.
He mentioned that all federal cases are transferred to the capital, which in UAE’s case is Abu Dhabi. Other minor cases such as jaywalking, drunk driving, etc get expats in jail for a few days then they get out after paying fines.
