Because she was desperate for help, an Overseas Filipino Worker had to do a distress call from the toilet where she was hiding.
The OFW was identified as Juliet Manuales, an Overseas Filipino Worker in Riyadh. She was in a desperate situation when made the call.
“Ako po si Juliet Manuales, kasalukuyang nandito… Ako po ay nagreklamo noong December pa. Hanggang ngayon, wala pa ring aksyon,” Manuales said.
She also added several dates to strengthen her claims.
“December 9 and 10, sinaktan ako. Hanggang December 22, wala akong contact sa pamilya ko dahil kinuha nila lahat ng cellphone ko. Kinulong, sinaktan, lahat ginawa nila. Tiniis ko po ‘yun,” says Manuales.
After pleading a couple of times, Manuales was able to get back her phone. The OFW also promised her employers that she will not report the maltreatment she acquired.
“Kasi pag nagsumbong daw ako, papatayin nila ako, puputulan ng kamay,” says Manuales.
But on March 18, her employers once again maltreated her and also accused her of theft.
“Lahat ginawa nila, sinakal ng dalawang beses, kinulong, kinuha yung cellphone ko. 10 days ako na walang contact sa pamilya ko. Nagtatrabaho ako para mabuhay at makakain kasi pag di ako gumalaw, papatayin nila ako, sasaktan nila ako,” says Manuales.
Her agency, on the other hand, didn’t have any actions. She waited for them to rescue her but nothing happened.
Meanwhile, the family of Manuales in the Philippines already sought help.
“Siyempre umiiyak kami, wala kaming magawa dahil malayo siya… Kung magsusumbong naman kami, wala naman kaming magawa,” says Maricel Ampunan.
Bernard Olalia, the POEA Administrator, is already looking over the agency of Manuales.
“Ipapa-rescue po natin, ipapa-coordinate natin that the measures in place should be implemented meaning to say, kokontakin ‘yung FRA, kokontakin yung agency, kokontakin yung employer, at kokontakin yung designated authority on board para po ma-rescue yung ating kababayan,” Olalia promised.
POEA will also help the distressed OFW in finding justice.
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