Saudi- Filipinos warned about drug traffickers

(MENAFN- Arab News) Filipino workers in the Kingdom were cautioned about their baggage especially at airport that drug traffickers might use to smuggle narcotics into countries where they work observed several Filipinos here following the experience of a fellow national Mary Jane Veloso in Indonesia.
Velosa was saved from being executed after a witness came forward at the last minute in Manila to prove that she had been unwittingly used to smuggle drugs in her suitcase from Malaysia into Indonesia.
Veloso 30 is a single mother of two boys aged six and 12. She was arrested in 2009 with 2.6 kg of heroin sewn into the lining of her suitcase. She claimed she was offered a job in Malaysia by a friend but upon arrival was told the work was actually in Indonesia so she flew there.
Dionisio B. Tabuco Jr. an engineer in Buraidah said Filipino workers must be more careful about their luggage and make sure they are not carrying any drugs.
In Riyadh Cenon C. Sagadal Jr. who works for a money remittance agency said if someone asks a worker to carry a package he or she must open it. Workers must make sure they are not carrying anything that is illegal in the country of destination.
Eric P. Asi an engineer said: 'There's no harm in refusing to carry a package if you're in doubt about its contents.'
Florante M. Catanus a finance officer at a law firm in Alkhobar said: 'Veloso's experience is not new. It has been the experience of several Filipinos in China and other countries. This should serve as a lesson for other overseas foreign workers.'
In Jeddah Charles B. Tabbu an information technology manager said: 'Veloso's experience is also a warning to the Philippine government. Reminders to overseas foreign workers not to carry heroin should be included in its pre-departure orientation program.'