In this modern era, social media is becoming a vital part of our lives. It can be used as a means of communication towards your relatives, friends and loved ones no matter how far they are. Facebook, one of the most-used social media, is not just a useful means of communication but also for news updates from different parts of the world. Just by following several news pages, you can get yourself updated with the latest news worldwide. Because of this advantage, many abused and maltreated OFWs seek help through social media.
Photos and videos of Overseas Filipino Workers are all over the web. Not all of them post pictures of nice places, delicious foods, and happy moments abroad. Some of them post videos and images of bruises all over their body, wounds and burns inflicted by their own employer.
Rose Ann Sinoy tried the power of social media. She posted her current situation in Saudi Arabia as a domestic helper.
“Ako po si Rose Ann Sinoy. Ako po ay taga-Koronadal City, Mindanao. Ako po ay humihingi ng tulong sa inyo. Ako po ay isang OFW ditto sa Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Gusto ko na pong umuwi kasi po nagkaproblema po ang mga amo ko na lalaki at naghiwalay po sila.”
“Andito po ako ngayon sa amo ko na lalaki. Tinatawagan po ako ng amok o na babae na itakas ko raw po ang alaga kong bata. Pero natakot po ako. Nagalit po sa akin ang amo ko na babae tapos po sabi nya ibebenta niya raw po ako sa ibang amo at pinagbantaan nya po ako pag hindi daw ako papaya ipapupulis niya raw po ako.”
“Natatakot na po ako. Tinawagan ko nap o ang Embassy at Polo Owwa pero pinasa-pasa lang po nila ako. Andito po ako sa 17B Al Habil Street An Nafal District, Saudi Arabia. Ito po ang number ko: +966509198860.”
“Nasa amo ko rin po ang passport at iqama ko. Kinuha niya rin po ang contract ko noong isang araw.”
“Please naman po tulungan niyo ako. Natatakot nap o ako sa gagawin ng amo ko.”
“Sir Tulfo, tulungan niyo po ako. Agency kop o, Mayon Internatinal Trading Corporation.”
Kanina nag babike ako,pah puntang quatif ng maka salubong ko si ate,humihingi ng tulong sakin.natatakot ako na awang…
Posted by Juniere Mendoza on Thursday, June 8, 2017
READ ALSO : Family of OFW Who Allegedly Committed Suicide In Saudi Arabia Demands Further Investigation On Her Case
In some cases, there are also concerned netizens posting in social media their own encounters with distressed and abused OFWs. Just like this Facebook user Juniere Mendoza. According to him, he saw a fellow OFW while biking. The woman was asking for help as she was allegedly abused by her employer. Afraid that he will be blamed instead, Mendoza refused to help to poor woman but posted a photo of her in social media in hopes of getting some help. The video garnered 67,000 shares.
As much as the government wants to stop the sending of OFWs to Middle East, it is still considered one of the top destination of Filipino workers who aspire to provide the financial support needed by their families in the Philippines.
