DFA confirms arrest of 17 Filipinas in Saudi for joining Halloween party

Seventeen Filipino women were arrested in Saudi Arabia after local authorities raided a Halloween party they were attending, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed Monday.

The DFA received the report from the Philippine Embassy, which have been requesting access to the Filipinas detained at the Al Nisa Jail in Riyadh since Friday.

The Philippines’ envoy to Saudi Arabia, Ambassador Adnan Alonto, said the 17 women were among those taken into custody by Saudi’s intelligence operatives who raided a compound in the Saudi capital.

“The compound was raided after neighbors complained of loud noise from the party,” the DFA said.

However, Alonto said the charges filed against the detained Filipinas were not clear, but initial information from the Embassy showed the party organizers were charged with holding events without permits.

The DFA then reminded overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East to observe local traditions and laws of their host countries.

“Saudi laws strictly prohibit unattached males and females from being seen together in public,” the DFA statement said. “Ambassador Alonto said the Embassy issued an advisory urging members of the Filipino community to be mindful of local sensitivities.”

Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah issued a Public Advisory No. EBB – 47 – 2018: PROHIBITION ON THE HOLDING OF ACTIVITIES THAT VIOLATE LOCAL SAUDI LAWS, CUSTOMS, MORALS AND PRACTICES