‘Pinoy’ killed in Riyadh blast was Syrian

Carlos Santamaria

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

The DFA says the body previously identified as belonging to Filipino driver Florentino Santiago is actually a Syrian national who died in the Riyadh truck blast

IT'S NOT HIM. DFA Spokesman Raul Hernandez confirmed the body previously identified as belonging to Filipino driver Florentino Santiago is actually that of a Syrian national who died in the Riyadh truck blast. Photo by Carlos Santamaria

MANILA, Philippines – A Filipino driver initially identified as one of the 22 people who died in a truck explosion in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia turned out to be a Syrian national, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) revealed on Monday, November 12.

“We just received a report last night by Ambassador [Ezzedin] Tago that the remains of the body that was identified by his brother-in-law turned out to be not him but that of a Syrian national,” DFA Spokesman Raul Hernandez said during a press briefing.

Hernandez explained that two bodies have yet to be identified and DNA tests will be conducted on both to confirm if one of them belongs to Filipino driver Florentino Santiago.

Previously the lone Filipino fatality, Santiago is now back to official “missing” status.

“It’s very important to be accurate about this and do the usual process rather than make mistakes,” he added.

Hernandez noted that the DNA of one of the bodies will have to match the DNA of a direct relative of Santiago.

“We will only know then for sure that he is dead when we are able to see and identify scientifically that one of these bodies is his,” the spokesman said.

TRUCK BLAST. Saudi rescue workers are seen at the site where a truck transporting gas exploded on November 1, 2012 in Riyadh. AFP PHOTO/FAYEZ NURELDINE

Of the 11 Pinoys injured in the blast, only two remain in the hospital, both in critical condition.

Another Filipino, driver Ruben Kebeng, is currently being investigated by Saudi police in relation to the accident but no charges have been filed yet.

The Philippine embassy in Riyadh is helping the Filipino victims get the financial assistance they need, although some of them are entitled to medical benefits from their Saudi employers.

The accident took place on November 1 on a main road in the Saudi after a truck veered into a bridge pylon, causing a gas leak that spread out and then burst into flames, destroying nearby cars and a building. – Rappler.com

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!