An overseas Filipino worker alleged that her local recruiters forced her to abort her own baby before she was allowed to begin her work in Syria.
The OFW, only identified as “Diana” for her protection, said that she was promised a job in Dubai or Egypt, however, little did she know that her recruiters were already sending her to Syria.
During the investigation of the Senate women committee led by Senator Risa Hontiveros on the trafficking of Filipino women, the 31-year-old OFW recalled that she used to visit Baclaran to meet a certain “Mam Beth” who briefed her and another Filipina on which immigration counter to go to when they reach the airport
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“Sinabi niya (Mam Beth) sa akin na antayin ko ang text niya kasi hindi kami pwedeng magkamali ng pagpasok ngcounter. Through text, tinuturan ako nung taga-agency kung ano ang dapat gawin, step by step,” recalled Diana.
She then recalled that she stayed in Malaysia for two to three weeks, before she flew to Syria. By then she was already experiencing troubling health symptoms that are usually related to pregnancy, but was not allowed or given any pregnancy test.
When she arrived in Syria, she underwent a medical procedure which confirmed her suspicions that she was pregnant. However, she alleges that she was forced to begin the process of abortion and was coerced by her recruiters by asking her if she can pay for the entire process of her travel and recruitment as an OFW.
“Nung dumating ang visa ko, lumipad ako papuntang Syria. Nagmedical exam kami, doon ko nga nalaman na buntis ako. Nagmakaawa ako na pauwiin ako pero hindi ako pinayagan.
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“Sinabihan ako kung kaya kong bayaran ang ginastos sa kanila. Ayoko ko po magpalaglag pero halos muntik nila akong saktan at sampalin. Wala akong magawa kung di inumin ang gamot na binili sa akin na isang psychotic – pinasok ko yung gamot na Cytotec sa bunganga at sa puwerta,” she added.
Today, ‘Diana’ is already back home in the Philippines, but stated that she has yet to receive any help from the Philippine government.
Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente assured that his office would find the individuals responsible for the continuous illegal trafficking of Filipinos to other countries.
“Kaisa ako sa hangarin na mapanagot at maparusahan ang mga mapapatunayan na involved sa trafficking of Filipino women,” said Commissioner Morente.
