Abused OFW lapses into coma at Saudi welfare agency

MANILA, Philippines - An overseas Filipino worker (OFW), left with Saudi Arabia’s social welfare agency after reportedly being raped and abused by her employer, has lapsed into a coma, a group advocating overseas Filipino workers’ rights said yesterday.

The OFW’s condition has been deteriorating since her employer left her with the agency a week ago, according to Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona.

He said the OFW – reportedly only 17 years old – had declared in passport that she was 25 years old and a native of Kabuntalan, Maguindanao.   

Francis Dungca, who heads Migrante-Saudi Arabia’s rights and welfare committee, said fellow wards at the agency told them that the OFW claimed to have been “gagged with clay and silicon” after she was raped.

Dungca said the OFW could hardly stand, walk and talk when she was brought by her employer to the welfare agency six days ago.

She lapsed into a coma Friday night, he added.

Dungca said the OFW’s fellow wards at the agency said she is only 17 years old.

Monterona urged the Philippine embassy and its attached agencies based in Saudi Arabia to determine the OFW’s real age.

He said Bashir Ayob, who is in charge of the Filipino wards at the welfare agency, reportedly denied providing assistance to the OFW since she is not under the custody of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO).

He said he sent text messages to labor attaché Rustico dela Fuente, assistant labor attaché Dominador Salanga and senior welfare officer Jose Capa.

One official replied, saying the OFW was brought to a hospital, but the victim’s fellow wards sent photos to prove she was still at the welfare agency, Monterona said.

He said he will raise her case when he meets with POLO officials tomorrow.