The family of an overseas Filipino worker from Dumaguete City, Anthony Ramos Rallustian, who was hurt in a blast in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, November 1, is asking the Philippine government to help bring him home.

Connie Gregore, a cousin of Rallustian, said he refused to undergo a major surgery for the spinal injury he sustained when the fuel truck exploded last week.

Rallustian, 31, single, of Banilad, Dumaguete City, was able to talk to his mother, Mercedes Ramos Rallustian, last night, Gregore added.

Rallustian was scheduled for operation at the National Guard Hospital in Riyadh during the weekend but he collapsed. The surgery was postponed but Rallustian declined to be operated on and is insisting in coming home to Dumaguete, she said.

Rallustian left for Saudi Arabia December 10, 2010, and works as a service crew in Riyadh. He is set to return to Dumaguete next month.

Gregore said her sister, Aimee Aison, who works in Qatar, is in constant communication with Rallustian, and confirmed that he was among the 10 Filipinos injured in the blast. Another Filipino was among the 22 people killed, media reports said.

While the family was initially told that expenses for Rallustian's hospitalization and surgery were not a problem as he was covered by insurance, Gregore said their worry now is where to get the money to have him repatriated to the Philippines.*JFP

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