OFW accusing her employer of physical, sexual abuse rescued in Saudi Arabia

Philippine authorities in Saudi Arabia have rescued an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who has accused her employers of physical abuse and sexual assault.

Interviewed on Unang Hirit on Wednesday, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) director Connie Marquez said Norevie Ugalingan was pulled out of her employer's house on Tuesday night, hours after the Philippine Embassy office in Al Khobar was informed of her situation.

With the help of the recruitment agency in Saudi Arabia, Ugalingan was placed in Bahay Kalinga, a shelter for distressed OFWs.

"Kagabi pinull-out siya ng Saudi recruitment agency at nagkaroon ng meeting with our welfare officer sa Al Khobar, at doon may agreement na hindi na pauwiin si Ma'm Norevie dun sa bahay ng kaniyang employer at dun na siya magsi-seek ng refuge sa ating Bahay Kalinga," Marquez said

(Last night Ma'm Norevie was pulled out by her Saudi recruitment agency and brought to Al Khobar where it was agreed upon with our welfare officer that she will not be returned to her employer's house but instead will stay in Bahay Kalinga for refuge.)

Marquez said Ugalingan will stay in Bahay Kalinga until her repatriation to the Philippines, tentatively scheduled on June 24.

"Meron na siyang final exit at isasama natin siya dun sa ating chartered flight organized by the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and by the Department of Foreign Affairs, and ang tentative schedule po ng kaniyang pag-uwi ay June 24," the OWWA director said.

(Ma'm Norevie already has a final exit and she will be among the passengers of the chartered flight organized by the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and by the Department of Foreign Affairs. The flight is tentatively scheduled on June 24.)

According to Ernalyn Hadap, an OFW in Saudi Arabia who helped Ugalingan, said she was told that the sexual abuse started after Ramadan. She said she decided to help Ugalingan after seeing the video she posted on social media.

Hadap said Ugalingan's cellphone was confiscated by her employers after learning about the video, which reportedly shows the alleged maltreatment.

"Sabi niya after ng Ramadan dito, nagsimula na yung ganun, gustong-gusto siyang gagahasain ng anak ng amo niya, 23 years old po iyon [She said it happened after Ramadan, that the 23-year-old son of her employer wants to rape her]," Hadap said in a separate Unang Hirit interview.

Marquez, the OWWA director, said the embassy is willing to help Ugalingan if she decides to file a case against her employer. —KBK, GMA News