The family of a 29-year-old man from EB Magalona, Negros Occidental is demanding justice after his death in Jeddah City, Saudi Arabia.
In an interview with Bombo Radyo, Evangeline Javelosa, a decade-long worker in Riyadh, said her son James Melvic Javelosa arrived in Saudi Arabia on April 27, 2025 to help support his pregnant wife.
James was placed in an accommodation center by either Placewell or Tamkeen agency but was reportedly not provided with food allowances, prompting Evangeline to bring food for him and his fellow trainees.
After two weeks of training, James traveled with other Filipinos to Jeddah City on May 11, a trip that took over 10 hours, during which he began feeling unwell.
On May 12, during his first workday, James vomited twice and left early due to his condition—this would be the last time his mother heard from him.
On May 13, James’s roommates informed Evangeline that two male agency staff took him to the hospital around 9:30 p.m. after he reported feeling worse.
By the evening of May 14, James was found unconscious in a street near his residence and was brought to the hospital.
Evangeline arrived to find her son in the ICU in a comatose state.
James was declared dead on May 17.
Evangeline contacted Jeddah police to investigate her son’s death and requested to view CCTV footage, but it was shown only to the agency.
The agency claimed to possess video and photos suggesting James used illegal drugs and died of natural causes, but the family disputes this, citing multiple bruises and injuries on his body.
His remains arrived at Bacolod-Silay Airport around 5:30 a.m., though the family has not received an official autopsy report from Saudi authorities.
The family is now appealing for justice and clarity on the true circumstances surrounding James’s death.