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17 Riyadh OFWs arrested for attending Halloween party

The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh has warned the Filipino community in Saudi Arabia from holding and attending “unsanctioned” events or gathering with permission from the government following the arrest of some 17 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who attended a Halloween party.

In a report by the ABS-CBN News, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III confirmed that 17 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) were arrested in Riyadh.

The Department of Foreign (DFA) earlier confirmed the validity of a post circulating online claiming that 19 Filipino women 19 Filipino women and 5 other men of other nationalities organized the Halloween party in Riyadh. However, Labor secretary said the OFWs were mere attendees of the party and were not the event organizers.

“So far na alam namin ay resulta po ito ng isang reklamo ng mga residente sa Al Thumama na para tila meron pong activity po doon na ginaganap na medyo past midnight na,” said Consul General Christopher Patrick Aro.

Reports say that the residents complained about the noise coming from the event’s place, and the party attendees thereafter were held by security forces.

All attendees were brought to a precinct for further investigation.

DFA Assistant Secretary Elmer Cato said the embassy has seen the viral online posts but said they will need an official report from the PH embassy.

Saudi Arabia prohibits organizing of non-Islamic events, like a Halloween party, in public especially the socialization of men and women in unsanctioned gatherings.

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