Family of OFW found comatose in Saudi Arabia seek answers

A Filipino working as a barista in Saudi Arabia is in a coma after he was found unconscious and bloodied on a road near his residence.

According to JP Soriano’s report in 24 Oras on Thursday, the family of Jayson Calope in the Philippines is looking for answers.

Jayson’s brother said a fellow Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) shared that the victim was trying to save himself from someone based on CCTV footage.

“Nakita daw na tumalon yung kapatid ko kasi nanlaban, kasi gustong kumawala. Wala po yung wallet at cellphone. Tsaka yung malalang tama niya po sa ulo…tapos sinakal daw po,” said Louie Jay Calope.

(My brother was caught jumping from somewhere because he fought back and wanted to escape. His wallet and cellphone are missing. I was also told that he has a serious head injury and that he was choked.)

Elsa Morabe, the victim's aunt, said Jayson is a gentle and friendly person and that they could not accept what happened to him. 

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said initial information it received claims Jayson accidentally fell from a running vehicle. But the agency is still looking for further details from Saudi authorities.

“Ini-imbestigahan pa po. Hinihintay natin yun police report kung ano talaga yung nangyari…Nung una siyang sinugod, brain dead siya. Pinasok siya sa ICU and then he was successfully operated,” said OWWA Operation Center Director II Atty. Sherilyn Malonzo.

(The investigation is still ongoing. We are still waiting for the police report to know what really happened…He was brain dead when he was rushed to the hospital. He was brought to the ICU and his operation was successful.)

OWWA assured that it will help Jayson in his emergency repatriation. It added that it will also provide him medical assistance and other aid to his family. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News