OFW in Riyadh kept in shelter without decent meals cries for help

An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia could not help but shed tears as she sought help after being confined in a shelter without decent meals for weeks.

According to JP Soriano's report on "24 Oras," Joan Cruz Ravilo has been kept for two weeks in the  accommodation provided by her agency.

"Tulungan niyo po ako makauwi sa Pinas, nahirapan na po ako dito. Ilang araw na po kami hindi kumakain. Hirap na hirap na po kami. Tulungan niyo po kami dito," Ravilo said.

"Simula po June 2 hanggang ngayon po, wala pong pagkain, puro bigas lang po pinapakain sa amin. Puro kanin po walang ulam," she added.

Ravilo was also staying with a Kenyan who had lost so much weight due to the lack of proper food.

"Hindi po kasi pinapakain ng maayos. Lagi po kami nila-lock-an ng pinto," she said.

Ravilo arrived in Riyadh in March to work as a domestic helper. However, after a few weeks of service, her employers started abusing her.

"Doon sa dating amo ko po. Kaunti lang po 'yung pinapakain sa akin. Overtime sa trabaho tapos po lagi po akong kinakagat nung mga alaga kong bata," she said.

In June her employer terminated her services and brought her back to the agency, which then housed her in a shelter.

Her mother, Josefina Cruz, broke down upon learning about her daughter's situation.

"Parang awa n'yo na po, humihingi po kami ng tulong sa inyo. Magawan agad ng paraan na makauwi po ang anak ko," she said.

"Nananawagan po ako sa may mga mataas po. Kay Pangulong Duterte po, sa lahat na po ng puwedeng tumulong sa amin, sana po matulungan ninyo ang aking asawa. Gusto ko na po siyang makapiling at ang kanyang pamilya po," Romell, her husband, said. —Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News