Husband tears passport, ticket of OFW wife bound for work abroad

A Qatar-bound Overseas Filipino worker (OFW) could not help but cry after her husband tore apart her passport and other travel documents at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Wednesday. 

According to Maki Pulido’s Thursday report on “24 Oras”, the victim is a domestic helper who had been working in Qatar for seven years. 

She was supposed to fly back on Wednesday but her husband showed up at the airport and tore her passport and boarding pass. 

“Ayaw niya ngayon na umalis ako pero sabi ko mag tra-trabaho ako para sa mga anak natin,” the victim said. 

(He doesn’t want me to leave for abroad. I told him I had to work for our children.)

She said she separated from her husband on December 31, 2023, after suffering from domestic abuse. 

“Ayoko na nga tumira dun kasi binugbog nya ako. Ano, hintayin ko patayin pa niya ako? Seven years ako nagtatrabaho dun, walang trabaho yan,” the victim added.

(I don’t want to go back to our house. He was physically abusing me. Should I wait for him to kill me? I’ve been providing for us during the last seven years because he is unemployed.)

The Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group (PNP-AVSEGROUP) arrested the suspect who is now under detention.

The man underwent inquest proceedings for violating the Philippine Passport Act and the Violence Against Women and Children Act (VAWC).

The suspect is facing imprisonment from six years to 15 years and may be fined from P60,000 to P150,000 for destroying the passport.

Likewise, he may be detained from six months to 20 years and may be fined for P100,000 to P300,000 for violating the VAWC Law.

“Pagbaba ng bus ang bilis. Parang ayaw na akong makita e. Kaya naisipan ko punitin para hindi makaalis. Di ko lang alam na kakasuhan ako,” the suspect said.

(She was rushing to get out of the bus. I felt like she didn’t want to see me anymore. I tore her passport so she could not leave. I never thought I’d be arrested for that.)

For its part, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it tried to contact the victim through her mobile number but to no avail.

The DFA Consular Office advised the victim to send them an email for passport assistance at: OCA@DFA.gov.ph.—Sundy Locus/RF, GMA Integrated News