JEDDAH — A Filipino community leader who was allegedly forced into custody at the Shumaisy deportation center by his ex-sponsor despite having a pending labor case against them has spoken of his desire to get “justice” and continue to work in the Kingdom. Edgardo Mendoza, who had been working as a clinical planner for Samir Photographic Supplies for the past 12 years, said the general manager of the company told him in June he had to leave the Kingdom on a final exit following an alleged verbal order from the Ministry of Interior. His iqama (residence permit) was also confiscated, he claimed. This order was related to an investigation into a function Mendoza organized last year, even though official documents seen by Saudi Gazette state he was cleared of any wrongdoing. The subsequent dispute eventually prompted Mendoza, whose family was already back home when his troubles started, to file a case at the labor office in July against the sponsor. Mendoza, who has been residing in the Kingdom for 25 years, also claimed that at a labor court hearing earlier this month the company's muaqeb (government liaison employee) and two alleged policemen in plainclothes forced him to get in the latter's car before he was driven to the deportation center, where he has been since Dec. 5. He said while he was in the car he was wondering what he had done to deserve this treatment. “But in my heart I said to myself that I had to fight for my rights, even though I didn't know how to do this. I was not given my rights to make a good case for myself. All I want is for the company to cooperate with me and then let me know if there is really an order from the Ministry of Interior to deport me.” The function was incorrectly reported by Saudi Gazette as a beauty pageant, which is illegal in the Kingdom, but the subsequent investigation proved that it was an innocent family event also attended by children and the case was closed. However, according to Mendoza, the manager said at their meeting that the case was still pending and stopping the company from processing government transactions. Describing his reaction to being told to leave the country, Mendoza said: “It was surprising for me, because as far I was concerned the last meeting I had with [the investigation committee] proved I was okay. I submitted all the documents required to close the issue.” The Filipino then contacted a member of the investigation committee and obtained an official signed document that summarized the investigation and stated that he was innocent. However, the company rejected the document despite not providing its own documentation of the Ministry of Interior decision, maintaining the order was verbally communicated, claimed Mendoza. He said he was also told he could not transfer his sponsorship and had to fight to get his end of service benefits, which he eventually obtained after spending three hours at his bank. Mendoza said the company's personnel manager called him a few days after his meeting with the general manager and promised him that he could continue working for them or transfer his sponsorship and they would return his iqama. After obtaining his end of service money and handing it over to a close friend, Mendoza said he visited the company and was sent with the muaqeb to the Passport Office where his fingerprints and a mugshot were taken. His repeated claims that he was legally in the country fell on deaf ears, so he took advantage of the chaos in the office to slip away unnoticed and visit the Philippine Consulate. The consulate was able to help him file a case with the labor office and a hearing set for Aug. 25. Mendoza said a resolution was not reached at the first hearing and company representatives did not turn up at the next two. At the fourth hearing on Dec. 4, when yet another date was set for Dec. 29, he said the muaqeb attended alone and was seen speaking to two men in thobes who claimed to be policemen and subsequently forced Mendoza into their car. He said he was taken to a police station and stayed there overnight before the same men took him to the deportation center. The alleged policemen were verbally and physically abusive throughout both journeys and took his mobile phone, claimed Mendoza, adding that once he got to the center he was subjected to what he described as “degrading” treatment. “Before I was put inside the cell I felt really embarrassed, because all the people there were looking at me as if I was a criminal. I was the only one there walking with chains on my feet.” He said he was disappointed by how he has been treated by the company. “I feel very sad that after serving this company with loyalty for almost 12 years, I feel like I'm garbage that can just be thrown away. “At one point they were claiming that they don't want me out of the company because I'm a very good employee. If they really wanted to help me, they should have talked to me before terminating me.” He said all he wanted was a fair hearing. “I feel that I'm a victim here. I feel that I really deserve to have justice in my case and I don't deserve this. I should not be deported in this way because I am innocent and I have not done anything wrong.” He said he is currently being treated well at the center. A spokesman for the Philippine consulate said: “The Philippine consulate is aware of the case involving Mr. Mendoza and is continuing to provide support to him. We will be providing representation to him at his labor court hearing on Dec. 29 that also includes an Arabic interpreter. An Arabic translator is also liaising with the deportation center regarding Mr. Mendoza's situation.” Saudi Gazette contacted the company but it was not able to provide a statement by the time the newspaper went to the press.
