By Roy C. Mabasa
A 22-year-old Arab health worker was arrested for stabbing a Filipino emergency room nurse inside a hospital in Medinah, Saudi Arabia last week, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.
The victim, Rolando Mina, 29, from Caloocan City, was attacked last Thursday for still unknown reasons.
In a statement, the DFA said the suspect, whose name was not immediately made available, was arrested and is now in police custody.
It said the Philippine Consulate General immediately dispatched case officers to Medinah to provide assistance to Mina and coordinate with local authorities who are handling his case.
Philippine Consul General Edgar Badajos said Mina was on duty when attacked by the suspect. He said the case has been endorsed to the Public Prosecutor for further investigation.
Badajos said Mina sustained stab wounds, mostly on his arms, and the entire incident was captured by the hospital’s closed circuit television system.
The Philippine consulate official said authorities are still determining the motive for the attack. Mina said he does not know the suspect and has no idea why he was attacked.
Badajos said Saudi Ministry of Health representatives visited Mina Friday and the hospital management provided him with a security detail to ensure his safety while the case is being investigated.
Saudi health officials also assured Mina of assistance, including payment of his salary while recovering from his wounds.