DFA Verifying Pinoy’s Suicide Inside Saudi Jail

MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is seeking confirmation of the reported suicide of a Filipino detained in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia over an alleged terror plot.

Philippine ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ezzedin Tago said they have only received secondhand reports that Jovito Quino, Jr. committed suicide inside his jail cell last April 11.

Tago told radio dzMM the he has sent a diplomatic note to the Riyadh Ministry of Foreign Affairs, asking for confirmation of the incident and a medical report on Quino.

The official promised to keep the 26-year-old migrant worker’s family updated with the case.

Quino is among several individuals arrested in October 2015 because of their alleged link to Yasser Mohammad Barasi, a suspected serial bomber from Syria.

In a separate dzMM interview, Quino’s sister Jenny confirmed that he is friends with Barasi.

Jenny shared that she last spoke with her brother in March.

The overseas Filipino worker told her that he is uncertain of where he is detained.

“Sabi niya lang po na nakakulong siya sa isang kwarto, nag-iisa, parang bartolina,” Jenny said.

She also does not believe that her brother would commit suicide, saying that he has sounded willful during their last phone call.

“Sabi niya, ‘Hindi ako sinasaktan. Kaya ko dito, kakayanin ko,'” she said.

Jenny said they only learned of his alleged death on April 13 through an e-mail from Riyadh authorities.

Quino has been a bartender for four years before his arrest.

ANOTHER FILIPINO

Aside from Quino, a Filipina identified as Lady Gioi Aban Bali Nang, was also implicated in the alleged terror plot.

Barasi and Nang were arrested last October when authorities raided an illegal explosives factory in Riyadh.

Nang is accused of aiding the Syrian national in preparing detonation belts and explosives.

Saudi’s Interior Ministry said the two suspects belong to a so-called “deviant group” – a term used by Saudi authorities to refer to Al Qaeda or Islamic State (IS). Hundreds of alleged IS sympathizers have been arrested in the kingdom.

During the interview, Tago said he has personally spoken with Nang, and she admitted to befriending an unidentified Syrian national online before her arrest.

“I have met Lady Gioi, may nabanggit siya na nakilala sa Facebook, iyung Syrian… Pero walang ibang detalye siyag binangggit tulad ng pangalan ng mga kaibigan niya,” Tago said.

The ambassador said they are closely monitoring the welfare of Nang as she remains detained in Riyadh.

(Source: ABS-CBN.com)