Pinay jailed in Saudi for leaving husband who was allegedly abusing her

A Filipina was jailed in Saudi Arabia for refusing to return home to her husband who was allegedly battering her, a Saudi news site reported on Thursday.

 

The plight of Mariam Manalo, 51, has attracted attention in social media and triggered calls for stronger laws to protect women, Arab News reported.

Manalo was reportedly scheduled to be released late on Wednesday without bail because the case proved to be a family dispute. "However, since the couple are still married, the matter is now in the hands of the husband," Arab News said.

 

While she came from the Philippines, Manalo is now a Saudi citizen and has three daughters aged 15 to 22.

 

She was arrested and jailed based on charges lodged by her husband for "absenteeism" from their home.

 

Manalo had refused to return home, choosing instead to remain in prison.

 

"Absent" for 3 months

 

Arab News quoted a family friend as saying Manalo was absent from her home for three months, prompting her husband to file an “absenteeism from home” complaint.

 

A male guardian can file such a complaint if a female dependent leaves home without permission.

 

The police arrested Manalo at her workplace in a Jeddah’s commercial center.

 

The owner of the boutique where Manalo worked, described her as honest, sincere, cooperative, energetic and committed to her job.

 

The owner said Manalo had talked about her domestic situation on her first day of work and her need for the job to secure a steady income so she can divorce her husband.

 

Arab News quoted Khuloud Saleh Alfahad, who is working as a liaison between Manalo and the National Society for Human Rights, as saying Manalo’s case is not unique.

 

Alfahad said the absence of any law to protect women in Saudi Arabia worsens the situation of individuals like Manalo.

 

“The Ministry of Interior must establish laws to protect women, otherwise it would seem as if women’s issues are only tools to distract the public,” Alfahad told Arab News. - VVP, GMA News