Monday 22 March 2021

‘Mamamatay na ako:’ OFW trafficked to Syria forced by recruiters to abort baby

Overseas Filipino worker (OFW) 'Diana'

Overseas Filipino employee (OFW) “Diana” recounts how she was trafficked out of the Philippines and bared how she was allegedly forced to have an abortion earlier than being “sold” to her employers in Syria. Screengrab from Youtube livestream of Senate ladies committee listening to

MANILA, Philippines — An abroad Filipino employee (OFW) trafficked into Syria was allegedly forced by her recruiters to abort her baby earlier than she was bought to her employers within the Middle Eastern nation.

“Siguro nakauwi po ako na malamig na bangkay kung lumaban ako sa kanila,” the OFW, who was solely recognized as “Diana” for her safety, stated throughout the investigation of the Senate ladies committee led by Senator Risa Hontiveros on the trafficking of Filipino ladies.

(I might have gone residence a cadaver if I resisted.)

Diana disclosed to senators that she was promised a job in Dubai or Egypt however was trafficked to Syria in 2017 allegedly with the assistance of corrupt Bureau of Immigration (BI) officers.

According to her, she and one other recruit had been briefed by her agent “Ma’am Beth” earlier than their flight in another country.

“Sinabihan ako na pagpasok ng immigration, antayin ko ang text niya kasi hindi kami pwede magkamali ng punta ng ibang counter. Through text, tinuturuan ako ng taga recruitment agency kung ano ang dapat gawin, step by step,” Diana instructed the committee.

(I used to be instructed that after I enter the immigration, I’ll have to wait for his or her textual content message as a result of we are able to’t commit a mistake of going to different [BI] counter. Through textual content, we’re being instructed by the individuals within the recruitment company of what to do, step by step.)

“Sinabihan ako na babae ang nasa counter. Hindi ko lang maalala kung ano ang number ng counter,” she added.

(I used to be instructed that the individual within the counter is a woman. I simply can’t bear in mind what was the variety of the counter.)

When she arrived in Malaysia, she stated somebody from the recruitment company fetched them on the airport. They had been introduced to a “house” the place she stated many Filipino ladies had been additionally ready for his or her visas.

She stayed in Malaysia for 2 to three weeks.

During her keep, Diana recalled accompanying one of many recruitment brokers to a cash remittance middle to ship cash to their “contact” on the BI.

“Nung nasa Malaysia ako, naramdaman ko na na parang mabigat ang pakiramdam ko, hindi na din ako dinadatnan. Nagrequest ako ng pregnancy test pero di nila ako pinayagan mag test. Nung dumating na ang visa ko, lumipad na ako papuntang Syria,” she stated.

(When I used to be in Malaysia, I had a heavy feeling, I haven’t had my interval. I requested for a being pregnant check however they didn’t enable me to have the check. When my visa arrived, I flew to Syria.)

She stated she was solely in a position to take a medical examination when she was introduced to Syria, the place she came upon she was pregnant.

“Nagmamakaawa ako na pauwiin ako pero hindi ako pinayagan. Sinabihan ako na, ‘kaya mo bang bayaran ang perang ginastos namin sa iyo.’ Ayoko po talaga magpalaglag pero halos sampalin ako. Wala na ako magawa kundi inumin – pinasok ko yung gamot na Cytotec sa bunganga at sa puwerta,” Diana stated.

(I used to be begging them to let me go residence however I used to be not allowed. I used to be instructed: “Can you afford to pay us the money we spent for you.” I actually don’t need to have an abortion however they virtually slap me within the face. I’ve no alternative to drink the drug — I put the drug Cytotec inside my mouth and organ.)

She stated her company was monitoring her to guarantee she was taking the medicine.

“Pagkatapos noon, pinatingin lang ako sa doctor, tapos isang araw lang nakakalipas binenta na ako sa employer,” she added.

(After that, a health care provider got here to see me, then a day later I used to be bought to my employer.)

“Dinudugo pa din ako at ang sakit sakit ng pakiramdam ko. Gustong gusto ko talaga tumakas, pero di ko na nagawa. Tumawag ako sa embassy ng Pilipinas, pero hindi naman nila ako tinulungan. ‘Mamamatay na ako,’ sinabi ko sa kanila. Pero sabi nila hindi sila basta basta makakapunta ang embassy kasi mapapahamak daw sila,” she additional stated.

(I had bleeding and I actually really feel the ache. I actually needed to escape however I wasn’t in a position to achieve this. I known as up the embassy of the Philippines, however individuals there didn’t assist me. “I am dying” I instructed them. They stated they will’t instantly deploy their individuals, the embassy, as a result of they may get into hassle.)

Further, she stated solely obtained half of her promised wage of $400.

“Two years din ang nakalagay sa kontrata pero naging three years. Sobrang hirap ang pinagdaanan ko doon sa loob ng Syria,” she added.

(Two years [of work] had been indicated within the contract but it surely grew to become three years. I skilled a number of hardships inside Syria.)

Diana stated she is already within the Philippines, however stated she has but to obtain help from the federal government.

‘A loss for words’

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente stated he was “really at a loss for words” after he heard Diana’s testimony.

“I would assure my all-out support for this [Senate] investigation,” he stated.

“Kaisa ako sa hangarin na mapanagot at maparusahan ang mga mapapatunayan na involved sa trafficking of Filipino women,” he added.

(I’m one with you on this want to have these concerned within the trafficking of Filipino ladies punished.)

Earlier, a Filipino trafficking sufferer additionally got here ahead and sought help from Hontiveros’ workplace.

The stated sufferer additionally recounted the same expertise as Diana when it comes to the alleged involvement of corrupt BI officers , who purportedly obtain P50,000 for each Filipino woman trafficked out of the nation.

JPV



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source https://infomagzine.com/mamamatay-na-ako-ofw-trafficked-to-syria-forced-by-recruiters-to-abort-baby/

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