OFW escapes abusive Saudi employer as she renews her passport


By RONALDO Z. CONCHA
A distressed OFW working as household helper in Taif, Saudi Arabia ran away from her abusive employer, and sought help from the Philippine labor office when she was allowed to renew her passport.
In an exclusive interview WITH GMA News Online, Marlene ( not her real name) said that when her lady employer brought her to the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Jeddah to renew her passport, she sought for help and begged to stay behind.
Marlene recounted how she endured episodes of sexual molestation by his male employer and his sons for two years. And when the opportunity came to renew her passport, she carried out her escape plan.
Inside the office of Assistant Labor Attache Germie Daytoc, Marlene told GMA News Online that her male employer and his two sons took chances on her, groping her when no one was looking.
Also she narrated an incident when one of her employer's son forced open the bathroom she was cleaning and attempted to rape her. Good thing, she said, she was able to grab a hard cleaner, which she used to beat off the attacker, foiling his plan.
She claimed that she asked her agency in the Philippines for help but nothing happened, until her contract expired last month.
She was able to convince her lady employer to accompany her to the POLO for her passport renewal. And while inside the Philippine office she told her she is not coming back with her.
She called her employer waiting outside the consulate to ask if she can get her personal belongings, but her boss hang up the phone.
Consul General Edgar Badajos said that OFWs in trouble, and are seeking refuge at the Philippine Consulate or the Philippine Embassy are safe from any abuses, as these offices are "Philippine territories."
"Ang feeling kasi nila dito kahit nasa labas ka ang tingin nila sa konsulado ay tahanan once na nasa loob ka na, safe ka na e, at pag andito ka na sa loob lahat ng ating mga kasamahan dito sa labor yung Assistance to National Section natin ay nakahanda nang tumulong gayon din ang ating social welfare at yung sinasabi din ntin sa international law natin kapag nandito ka sa loob," Bahajos said.
After her rescue, Marlene said, "Ang saya-saya ko po kasi, biruin nyo ang dalawang taon ko sa kanila, hindi ako nagsalita sa mga magulang ko kasi naawa naman ako sa tatay ko, tinatanong ako ng tatay ko kung kumusta ako sabi ko ok lang ako pero naiiyak ako."
Meanwhile, Daytoc promised Marlene that his office will immediately contact the Philippine agency that sent her to Suadi to make arrangements for her repatriation. —LBG, GMA News

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