OFW says employer tried to rape her after being nabbed for theft, fleeing

A Filipina domestic helper in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia asked to be rescued after being arrested for allegedly stealing a cellphone and escaping from her employer.

A report by JP Soriano on “24 Oras” on Thursday said Michelle (not her real name) ran away because her male employer attempted to rape her.

The OFW also denied stealing from her employer. She said the cellphone was given to her as a supplement for her insufficient salary.

“Masakit po napahamak nga po siya. Siya na po ang tinangkang gahasain, siya pa po ang nakulong. Ganoon po ba talaga ang batas?” Michelle’s mother said.

(It pains us to know she's in danger. She was nearly sexually assaulted yet she was the one in prison.  Is that really how the law works?)

Michelle was able to reach the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Riyadh.

The Saudi police, however, arrested her as she was about to sign for an exit visa.

“Ngayon po sa kagustuhan ng anak ko na makauwi na, sumama po siya sa agency. ‘Yun pala noong pipirma na siya ng exit visa noong June 14, dinampot na siya ng mga pulis,” the mother said.

(Because my daughter wanted to go home to the Philippines, she went to her agency. When she was about to sign the exit visa on June 14, police arrested her.)

The OFW's mother has already approached the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs regarding the matter.

DMW Secretary Susan Ople said she will talk with the Saudi Arabia Embassy and Labor Attache of Saudi in the Philippines to address the issue and provide legal assistance to Michelle.

Ople added that bilateral talks between Saudi Arabia and the Philippines have also started.

“Kung muntik na siyang mabiktima ng rape tapos siya pa ang nakakulong ay talaga naman agrabyado ang ating kababayan. We will clarify yung mga katanungan about this case primarily doon sa jurisdiction namin ay paanong napasakamay pa ng Saudi agency kung nandoon naman na sa shelter ng POLO,” she said.

(If she is in prison despite being almost a victim of rape then she is really the aggrieved party. We will clarify the circumstances of the case, including the matter of jurisdiction.  We want to find out how the Saudi police got hold of her when she was already in the POLO shelter.)—Mel Matthew Doctor/LDF, GMA News