Good Samaritans helped Pinay escape 'abuse' from ex-envoy's home

NEW YORK — The story of the domestic helper who accused a diplomat’s family of labor abuse involves a lot more characters. Marichu Suarez Baoanan, the 39-year-old mother of three, says fellow Filipinos in New York – all complete strangers – gave her hope to survive her ordeal. “Talagang kung wala sila, ewan ko na kung ano ang nangyari sa akin (If it weren't for them, I wouldn't know what could've happened to me)," Baoanan said referring to members of Filipino advocacy group, Damayan. Damayan, a non-profit group that helps overseas domestic workers, organized her escape from former Philippine Ambassador to the United Nations Lauro Baja’s townhouse back in April 2006 - three months of what Baoanan claims as forced labor. “Sinabi nila sa akin ang aking mga karapatan dito sa Amerika at binigyan nila ako ng lakas ng loob na lumaban (They told me my rights in America and they gave me the strength to fight for it)," Baoanan said. On January 2006, Baoanan arrived at the Baja’s residence on 66th Street in Manhattan in New York thinking that she would only be there for a few days until Norma Baja, the former ambassador’s wife, could arrange a nursing job for her. 'Package deal' Baoanan said Mrs. Baja offered her a package deal. For P250,000 – initially it was for P500,000 – Baoanan would get a visa, working papers and a chance to come to America to work as a nurse. According to reports, Baoanan is a Nursing graduate from Unciano Medical College. But soon after arriving in New York, Baoanan said Mrs. Baja immediately told her that she had to clean the house, cook and take care of their grandson. In the civil suit filed on June 24 with legal assistance from the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF), Baoanan claimed she worked 18-hours a day, was not given winter clothes and was forced to sleep in the basement with only a sheet. Baoanan said she was forbidden to answer the telephone. She is suing former Ambassador Baja, his wife Norma, their daughter Elizabeth Facundo and the Baja-owned Labaire Travel Agency, for slavery, forced labor, trafficking, racketeering and 11 other charges. “Talagang naisip ko nang magpakamatay para matapos na ang lahat nang paghihirap kong dinanas sa kanila ( I really thought about killing myself to end my suffering from them)," Baoanan said. “Kung hindi ko sinagot yung telopono, ewan ko na (If I hadn't answered the phone, I don't know what I'd do)." The call It was probably God’s blessing she said that whoever was on the other line had the kind heart to listen to her story. “Siguro noon talagang hindi ko na matiis, kaya noong unang tanong palang nya sa akin kung okay ako, napaiyak na ako nang todo at kinuwento ko sa kanya ang lahat (At that time, I just couldn't take it anymore. So when (the person on the line) asked how I was doing, I broke down to tears)," Baoanan said. The good Samaritan, who she did not want to name, told her that she would contact a group she knows - Damayan. Damayan then reached out to AALDEF and organized Baoanan’s escape. “Makakalabas nga ako pero may code number yung pintuan kaya kung lumabas man ako noon, hindi na ako makakapasok. Saan ako pupunta? Wala talaga akong kakilala dito (I could get out but since the doors have a code number, I can't go back in. Where would I go then? I really don't know anyone here)," Baoanan said. Damayan facilitated Baoanan's escape when the Bajas were out of the house. Compassionate Pinoys Since she left the Bajas, Baoanan said Damayan members would take turns to give her a place to sleep. “Minsan dalawang linggo sa isang bahay, tapos sa iba naman ako naki-tigil (Sometimes I'd stay for two weeks in someone's house, then I'd transfer to another one)," Baoanan said. Baoanan said while the federal investigators and AALDEF were working on an earlier criminal complaint she filed against the Bajas in 2006, she was in constant agony thinking about her family. When the criminal case was dismissed, Baoanan said she questioned whether to just give up the whole thing and go back home. Baoanan who was able to get a T visa, has been reunited with her family since April of this year. According to Ivy Suriyopas of AALDEF, the T visa allows victims of human trafficking to stay in the country for three years, making them eligible to apply for a green card. Under the T Visa, Baonan was also able to apply for a derivative visa for her family. “Masaya naman sila dito (They're okay here)," Baoanan said about her husband and three children. 'I know the truth' The civil suit was just filed recently because Baoanan wanted to make sure her family is safe and secure here first, according to Suriyopas. But Baoanan said she still worries for her family back home. “Alam mo naman sa atin, 'pagka malaki ang nakalaban mo (You know how it is when you're up against somebody 'big')," Baoanan said. Baoanan said she doesn’t let herself to think that she will lose this civil case. “Nasa akin ang katotohanan, Alam nila ang talagang nangyari. Alam nila ang ginawa nila sa akin, ang pang-aabuso (I know the truth, they (Filipinos) know what happened to me, the abuse)." Meanwhile, the former ambassador through his lawyer Salvador Tuy, has denied any wrongdoing and recently filed a motion to dismiss the case citing diplomatic immunity. Tuy argued in his motion that Baoanan was a “private servant of members of the mission" and is “not covered by all Federal and state laws with regard to employment, social security and taxes. Baoanan’s employment, according to the motion is “subject to laws of the Philippine government but not U.S. laws or New York State laws." - Philippine News