Immediately after Alfred Aljero Pastolero sets foot in Saudi Arabia in 1992, his visits to Riyadh jails seem unstoppable. Aside from his regular visit, twice weekly to Al-Malaz jail and occasionally in Al-Hair, Ka Alfred also frequents other smaller prisons and police stations around central region.
Ka Alfred keeps small pieces of papers with personal information of the inmates, including contact numbers and addresses of their families in the Philippines . During his annual vacation in the Philippines , he also visits the inmate’s family providing the wife and children updates on the physical condition and the status of the inmate’s case. He even lobbies in congress and approaches local politicians on initiating drive to raise blood money donations.
A nurse by profession, Ka Alfred learns honing and polishing his skills in approaching individual and handling cases of offenders and criminals. He talks with the inmates, provides paralegal and personal advices, and relays their needs and sentiments to the embassy.
Together with his group, Ka Alfred provides grocery items, clothing and other personal necessities to the inmates. The items were budgeted by the group and which lasted up until 2000.
Personal
Alfred Aljero Pastolero was born 41 years ago in Dingle, Iloilo City and raised by his parents Judith and Ricardo Pastolero (deceased).
Ka Alfred had his elementary education in Tabugon Elementary School and in Mater Carmeli High School for his secondary education. He graduated in Central Philippine University with a degree in BS Nursing.
Ka Alfred once worked for the Manila Doctors Hospital from 1988-1991. The following year, he worked as a company nurse for Saudi Operations Maintenance Company. He then transferred to his current company, the Saudi Army Ordinance in 2001.
If not in jails and his accommodation, Ka Alfred can be found in courts, playing the sports he loves most, tennis.
Testimonies
Sobrang mabait na tao! ( A very kind person!) – Consular Attache Tomas Lauson
Nandito pa ba si Ka Alfred? Napakabait na tao si ka Alfred, sya lang ang tanging Pilipino na bumibisita sa amin ng dalawang beses sa bawat linggo. Sa halos anim na taon na pagkakulong namin na kahit anino ng embassy ay hindi
ko nakikita. Si Ka Alfred lang ang tanging nakakausap at napagsabihan namin ng problema. – Joselito “Lolito” Alejo ( “Acquitted” and former inmate of Al Malaz Jail 1997-2002)
I was able to ask Romy Cordova in the basement of the Philippine embassy while he was under the custody of then ambassador Bahnarim Guinomla, who among his relatives was able to visit him inside Malaz. He said he had no known relatives in Saudi Arabia , but he considers Ka Alfred “more than a relative” who regularly visits him in more than five years of his prison term. – Roland Blanco – Media Correspondent
Ka Alfred is a shy and mediocre type of person, but he worked efficiently and silently for the welfare of jailed OFWs both physically and spiritually; he worked through prayers and his strong faith. I made my personal interaction with him 10 years ago. He embrace also the ideals of a lowly servant – like Jesus Christ who want to serve and not to be served. He is the humble type of OFWs serving fellow OFWs.
He was the source of our information about the jailed OFWs and their case status during eLagda’s time 9 years ago, our conduit. – Ronnie Abeto – Senior Action Officer (V-Team PMTF, Elagda)
Source: http://anginyonglingkod.com/?n=AIL.AlfredPastolero
Alfred Pastolero was inducted to Anginyonglingkod last 2008
