Calls of Distress from Detained OFWs Greet 2007

Jan. 16, 2007

But as of Dec. 30, Lagata is still detained at the police station and the investigation has not even started.

Gina Esguerra of Migrantes Migrants Assistance Committee said that Lagatas mother already approached officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Nov. 14 but no response has been received as of this writing.

Facing death

Meanwhile, a Filipina domestic helper faces death by hanging also in Kuwait for allegedly killing her seven-year old ward on Jan. 6.

DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Esteban Conejos reported that murder and double frustrated murder charges were filed against the OFW by Kuwaiti authorities before the Kuwait Prosecutors Office.

Conejos described the Filipina as a 28-year-old domestic helper from Maguindanao.

Reports said the OFW, who allegedly slit the throat of the boys 11-year-old brother and stabbed his 17-year-old sister, jumped from the second floor of her employers residence in Mumbarak Al-Kabeer District.

The OFW, who is currently confined at the intensive care unit of Al-Adan Hospital for multiple fractures, is under close guard by Kuwaiti police, said Conejos.

The embassy has already hired the services of two Kuwaiti lawyers to provide her with legal assistance.

Appeal for OFW in Hong Kong

The United Filipinos in Hong Kong (Unifil-HK) has reported to Migrante that Brigilda Farias has been detained there since July last year for charges of ill treatment or neglect by those in charge of child or young person.

Farias used to take care of her employers five-year old and five-month old sons. The parents were both working so Farias was left to look after the children.

The five-month-old baby, who has a kidney problem, had a scratch of about 2 mm in between the penis and scrotum. Farias assumed that the mother knew about it because she was the one who took care of the baby last July 10 up to the next day because it was her day-off.

On July 12, Farias noticed blood stains on the babys diaper. She wiped it with a towel soaked in warm water. They brought the baby to the hospital that night. On July 14, Farias was asked by the babys doctor regarding her personal background, including her experience in taking care of children, educational attainment, and history of physical illnesses.

comments powered by Disqus