Senate probe into death of stabbed Filipina OFW in Saudi sought

Senator Risa Hontiveros has filed a resolution urging the Senate to investigate the death of 32-year-old overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Marjorette Garcia in Saudi Arabia.

Garcia was found dead with stab wounds, according to a 24 Oras Weekend report.

Through the proposed Senate Resolution 817, Hontiveros asked the appropriate Senate committee to launch an investigation to help in providing stronger mechanisms to protect and safeguard Filipina migrant workers.

“An inquiry must be conducted to bring justice to Garcia's family, with the objective of ensuring that women migrant workers, who are often subjected to extensive violence, are protected and safeguarded,” Hontiveros said.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) reported in 2021 that 75% of the 23,986 cases of abuse included women migrant workers.

“There must be stronger mechanisms to provide comprehensive assistance and sustainable protection to OFWs, particularly women migrant workers, throughout the whole process from recruitment to repatriation,” added Hontiveros.

Apart from Garcia, Hontiveros mentioned the cases of Constancia Dayag who was beaten and sexually assaulted by her employer in May 2019 and Jullibee Ranara who was raped, tortured, and murdered in January 2023, both of them worked in countries in the Middle East.

Marjorette was last able to talk to her family on September 15, 2023.

The family has already reached out to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), who said that they are collaborating with other agencies to help in the investigation and bring the victim's body home. —VAL, GMA Integrated News