OWWA counsels OFW rape victim in Kuwait

The overseas Filipino worker gang raped by Kuwaiti police officers is undergoing counseling, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) disclosed on Wednesday.

 

“Ang ating welfare officer ay handang magbigay ng stress debriefing or psycho-socio counseling dito sa ating OFW. Tinitignan, minomonitor [nila] kung ano na ‘yung kanyang konsidyon,” OWWA administrator Carmelita Dimzon was quoted as saying in a television report aired at GMA’s “24 Oras.”

 

“Ako ay galit na galit sa ganyan (rape). Masyado akong nalulungkot at naaapektuhan sa mga ganitong pangyayari, siyempre babae ako e,” Dimzon opined.

 

The OWWA head noted that the suspects, who were two Kuwaiti policemen and two other officers of the police station, are now under custody while the investigation continues.

 

The OFW victim is determined to pursue the case, Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Raul Hernadez said in the same report.

 

“She is determined to pursue the case against perpetrators. We are committed to extend[ing] all necessary assistance to her so that justice is served,” Hernandez said, noting that the agency has provided the victim with a legal counsel.

 

Melissa (not her real name) heard the suspects knock on her door on the night of June 17. When she opened the door, they asked for her civil identification. As she went to her room to get the civil ID, Melissa was allegedly followed by one of the Kuwaiti policemen, who locked the door and raped her.

 

“Umiiyak po ako. Paano po ako makakapanglaban hindi ko po alam ang gagawin ko dahil natatakot naman po ako na ako’y saktan nila,” Melissa said in the same newscast. 

 

Priority on women welfare officers

 

Meanwhile, the OWWA administrator noted that the government will send more women welfare officers in Saudi Arabia to handle sexual abuse cases.

 

“Mas madaling maka-relate sa babae, hindi sila mahihiyang magsalaysay kung ano ang nangyari. Kung lalaki ‘yan, siyempre mangingimi ‘yan,” Dimzon explained.

 

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said that the Philippine government will prioritize deployment of female welfare officers abroad after the country's male embassy officials were accused of sexually abusing distressed OFWs in the Middle East. 

 

Not the first OFW rape case in Kuwait

 

Last year, an OFW also accused a Kuwaiti cop of rape and physical injury. The victim had multiple lacerations on her neck and cheeks purportedly from the incident. 

 

In 2009, another Filipina household service worker cried rape. The accused was her employer in Kuwait. Aside from rape, she also claimed to have been physically abused by her employer. —VC, GMA News