Ronaldo Z. Concha Saudi Gazette JEDDAH – Three Filipino children abandoned by their mother last year finally left for home to start a new life in the Philippines. The children, aged one, three and five, left Jeddah on Saturday with their father on board a Malaysian Airlines flight and arrived in Manila the next day. Hours before their flight, the father, Edwin (not his real name), told Saudi Gazette how he felt after his wife left them for no apparent reason. He recalled the ordeal they faced, especially when he lost his job. He said he had to take care of his children and constantly talk to the Philippine Consulate seeking assistance, and this affected his work. When the papers for his children finally cleared, Edwin said it was an opportunity to start over. With tears in his eyes, he said: “I received a very special gift this new year and now I am not just bringing home my children but I am also going to see my parents again after 12 years in the Kingdom." Edwin said he was very thankful to the immigration authorities for the kindness and compassion extended to his children. He also thanked the Philippine Consulate for providing them all the documents needed to process his children's repatriation. Meanwhile, Consul General Uriel Garibay said he was very happy when he was informed that the three children had left safely. He said their case demonstrated the importance of expatriate Filipino workers not taking for granted the rules and regulations of host countries where they worked. Garibay also thanked Saudi immigration authorities for constantly helping people in distress. Edwin said he still does not know where his wife is. He said his priority now was to give his children a normal life in his home province and do his best to fill the gap vacated by his wife. Edwin thanked members of the Filipino community in Jeddah who helped his family. “You know who you are. God bless all of you."
