OFW raped in Saudi Arabia; husband in PHL appeals for help

A female overseas Filipino worker who was allegedly raped by an Indian co-worker is now recovering in a hospital in Saudi Arabia but with bleak chance of getting home. The OFW’s Philippine-based husband told GMA News TV’s “On Call" the incident happened last July 27 in Riyadh, where the Indian impregnated her. “Ni-rape siya ng Indian. Lumaban daw siya kaya lang talagang malakas [at] malalaking tao ang Indian (She was raped by the Indian. She fought back but he overpowered her)," the husband said. He said his wife tried to keep her status a secret but slipped and had a miscarriage, prompting her employer to charge her for abortion. Worse, he said the Indian resigned from his job and allegedly told the employer that he and the Filipina had consensual sex.
The OFW left the Philippines for Saudi Arabia last February so they would have enough funds for their child’s schooling. Her husband, a construction worker, said they have not received help from the government. “Dinadasal ko sa Panginoon sana makauwi o maging maayos ang kalagayan. Yan ang lagi kong dasal sa kanya (I pray to God she can come home soonest or she will be safe. That is my only prayer)," he said. Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Advocacy and Social Marketing head Rey Tayag said he will talk to the OFW’s recruitment agency. But he said their initial verification showed the OFW was not in the database of the OWWA or the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration. “Kailangan natin i-validate ngayon [at] tingnan natin ano ang nangyari (We have to validate what happened)," he said. He also chided the OFW’s employment agency for allegedly claiming the OFW had consensual sex with the Indian. — JE, GMA News