Seven Filipinos confess to compatriots' murder

Manila: Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo has said seven overseas Filipino workers have confessed to the murder of three compatriots in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, reports the ABS-CBN News Interactive.

However, Romulo said the identities of the Filipino suspects will only be revealed after the Saudi police wrap up their investigation.

On Thursday, Foreign Affairs spokesman Gilbert Asuque said two Filipino miners in Jeddah initially admitted to be involved in the murder. Asuque said the two miners also confessed that three of six Filipinos earlier reported missing were accomplices in the murder.

He said initial investigation by the Saudi Arabian police indicated the cause of the killings was illegal gambling and trafficking in drugs and liquor and that 52 Filipinos have been rounded up by the Saudi police regarding the investigation.

Asuque said the Philippine Consulate in Saudi Arabia has sent representatives to assist the two Filipinos who have admitted to the crime as well as the other Filipino workers who have been accused.

On April 11, Saudi police arrested 10 Filipino miners after discovering severed body parts near the mine in Southern Jeddah. Five dismembered hands were among the parts found, indicating that there were at least three victims.

But Saudi Arabian police have said that no less than six people were killed.

There was suspicion that the dismembered body parts belonged to three Filipino workers allegedly involved in illegal gambling and drugs in Jeddah. Asuque said the Saudi police have subjected the dismembered body parts to DNA testing to confirm the report.

Department of Foreign Affairs undersecretary for overseas migrant workers Esteban Conejos said the identities of the three victims had not been established.

On April 11, Saudi police arrested 10 Filipino miners after discovering severed body parts near a mine in Jeddah.