Filipina ‘attempted rape victim’ jailed in Saudi Arabia

Philippine authorities are working to get to the bottom of the case of a Filipina jailed since June in Saudi Arabia after her employer allegedly attempted to rape her. “Our compatriot has been aggrieved. We will clarify this case. On how she ended up with the (recruitment) agency when she was already at the shelter of POLO (Philippine Overseas Labor Office),” said Susan Ople, Secretary of the newly created Department of Migrant Workers. Ople expressed confidence that the case will be expedited following the start of bilateral talks between Saudi Arabia and the Philippines. She said her department will coordinate with the Philippine Embassy in Saudi Arabia to provide legal assistance to the Filipina. The Filipina, a domestic worker in Saudi Arabia, was arrested by Saudi Police on June 14, according to 24 Oras news, which identified the victim as Michelle (not her real name). Speaking to the news channel, the mother said that Michelle ran away from her employer after he attempted to rape her. Michelle sought shelter at POLO but eventually left with her recruiters who promised to give her an exit pass to leave the country, her mother said. After leaving the Philippine mission, she was arrested by Saudi Police. ALSO READ: Nearly 4,000 Filipinos in jails abroad, says Tulfo “It hurts that she got into trouble. She almost got raped and yet she ended up in jail,” the mother said in Filipino. It was later learned that Michelle was arrested after her employer reported her for absconding and mobile phone theft. Michelle denied stealing the mobile phone, saying that her employer gave it to her as partial payment of the salary that they owed her. ICA/Expat Media Watch the full interview here:
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