Pinay DH dies of acid burns, stab wounds in KSA — DFA

A Filipino domestic helper (DH) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) died of acid burns and stab wounds last week, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Tuesday. The DFA said the Philippine Embassy in the KSA is now making representations for a full investigation into the matter. "The Filipina, whose name is being withheld until the next of kin is informed, was working as a household service worker (HSW) in Al-Khobar. She was taken to the King Fahd Hospital on September 8 by the Red Crescent after she was found in the kitchen of her employer's residence," the DFA said, citing a report from Philippine Third Secretary and Vice Consul Paulo Saret. It said the Embassy is coordinating with the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) to make "strong representations" with KSA authorities for the thorough investigation of the case. Philippine authorities will also push for the filing of the necessary criminal charges against the culprit "if warranted," the DFA said. On the other hand, the DFA said Philippine officials have asked the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to suspend the deployment operations of the manpower firm that recruited the overseas Filipino worker (OFW). An initial investigation showed the OFW had knife wounds in her neck, abdomen and wrist, as well as acid burns in her mouth area, arms and legs. "Reportedly, an almost empty container of sulfuric acid was taken from the scene," the DFA said. Embassy representatives met with the police together with the attending physician, who said that it is impossible for the Filipina to have committed suicide by stabbing herself and ingesting the acid at the same time. The medical staff purportedly said that the Filipina's internal organs could not sustain the acid ingestion, which caused her death. POLO investigation showed the Filipina was deployed by PRA Solidworks Manpower Resources & Promotion on May 31 "supposedly as a nursing aide, only to find herself working as a household worker." DFA-Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (OUMWA) and the Embassy have also requested the POEA to put PRA Solidworks' deployment on hold, in light of its contract violation. The DFA said its OUMWA is coordinating with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration for the repatriation of the Filipina's remains and extension of other assistance. It is also locating the next of kin to inform them of the incident. — LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV