Parents of abused OFW Joramie Torres fly to Malaysia


As they seek justice, the parents of teacher-turned-domestic helper Joramie Torres, who was abused and scalded with boiling oil flew to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to visit their daughter.
The mother of Joramie expressed her gratitude, saying that being able to see their daughter is a special gift from God, according to an exclusive report on Unang Balita by Jay Sabale on Monday.
"Nagpapasalamat din po unang-una sa taas na binigay niya sa 'kin 'yung pa-birthday na makita 'yung anak ko. Pangalawa, sabik na sabik na akong makita ang anak ko, kasi sabi niya sa telepono, 'Nay pag dumating ka dito, 'wag kang iiyak, kalma lang,'" Josephine Torres said.
"Sa aming pag-uusap sa cellphone, talagang gusto niya kaming makita, makasama," Ramon Torres, father of Joramie, said.
Joramie's parents were able to fly to Malaysia through the assistance of Blas F. Ople Policy Center, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
Authorities are hoping that justice will be given to Joramie upon the visit of her parents.
Susan Ople, president of Blas F. Ople Policy, a non-profit organization that assists OFWs and their families, said it is vital for the parents to talk to Joramie as it is the first step in her healing process.
"'Yung reunification ng magulang at ni Joramie mahalagang hakbang 'yon sa healing ni Joramie dahil mararamdaman niya 'yung pagmamahal, 'yung suporta ng magulang niya," Ople said.
Joramie was missing for months before her family in the Philippines learned she was physically abused by her employers. She was found by a Filipino couple in an abandoned lot.
The couple’s contact to the Torres family on September 1 was the first time any of them have heard from Joramie since February.
On September 1, the family learned that Joramie, wounded, fled her abusive employers on foot until she collapsed in an abandoned lot that was formerly a septic tank. The Filipino couple who found her thought Joramie was an undocumented OFW and brought her to a church in a sack.
Joramie is still under the custody of Malaysian authorities.
The Philippine government vowed that justice will be given to her "in terms of 'yung pagsubaybay sa kaso at 'yung paniniguro na nasa mabuting kalagayan si Joramie," OWWA administrator Hans Cacdac said. —Marlly Rome Bondoc/KG, GMA News

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