OFW abducted by prostitution gang escapes

abs-cbnNEWS.com | 03/03/2009 12:27 PM

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A Filipina overseas worker in Kuwait who was reported kidnapped by a Bangladeshi prostitution syndicate has finally surfaced.

The Philippine embassy in Kuwait is now extending all assistance to Mary Joy Lovely Donaire.

Donaire recalled her ordeal at the hands of her captors who kidnapped her last January 5. She said she took a cab and asked to be brought to the Philippine embassy after she ran away from her employer for seven months of non-payment of wages. However, Donaire found herself transported to another place and locked up inside a room.

“Muntik akong nagahasa doon. Nakipaglaban ako dahil ayaw ko talagang ma-involve sa mga ganun," Donaire told ABS-CBN Middle East News Bureau.

Donaire said she was able to outsmart her captors and successfully escaped from their flat on February 11.

“Nakalabas ako at kinupkop ako ng mag-asawa Maria at Marlon at nag-stay ako sa kanila ng more than one week. Pinapagamot nila ako kasi parang blangko pa daw ang isip ko nung pumunta ako sa kanila,” said Donaire.

She was already staying with the Filipino couple when her cousin, Madelyn Lumba sought the help of Balitang Middle East to locate her.

“Nakita nila sa television lalo na sa TFC [The Filipino Channel] na hinahanap na ako ng taumbayan lalo na dito sa embassy. Hindi naman sila makatulong sa problema ko," said Donaire.

After watching the news, the Filipino couple decided to take Donaire to the embassy to help the victim’s family. However, they opted not to show up at the embassy with the victim.

“Sabi nila ayaw nilang ma-involve sa kaso ko kasi mahal nila ang trabaho nila at bago pa lang sila dito,” Donaire said.

The Philippine embassy expressed its gratitude to the Filipino couple who helped Donaire. The embassy had been looking for Donaire for more than a month after she was reported kidnapped.

“Nagpapasalamat po kami sa mga taong tumulong na makita si Lovely Donaire. Ngayon ay nandito na siya sa embahada at protektado na siya ng embahada. Tayo ay nagpapsalamat doon kay Marlon at Maria,” said case officer Abdulhalim Langco, of the Assistance to Nationals Unit of the embassy.

Langco said the embassy will soon get in touch with Donaire’s employer to get her wages.

“Sa mga taong tumulong sa akin sa embassy nagpapasalamat ako sa inyo and sana man lang yung kababayan ko di na kayo magtiwala ng sumakay sa hindi natin kalahi,” Donaire added. -- Report from Maxxy Santiago, ABS-CBN Middle East News Bureau, Kuwait

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