An overseas Filipina worker (OFW) in Saudi Arabia was jailed after she attempted suicide following the alleged sexual abuse she suffered from a relative of her employer.
The OFW (name withheld) tried to end her own life by cutting her wrist, reported ABS-CBN News.
“Pinaghahalikan na raw po siya. Naglaslas po siya ng pulso para matigil na raw po yung pang-aabuso sa kanya,” said the OFW’s husband, Roman Santos.
The OFW survived the suicide and was jailed upon her release from the hospital.
“Ipinakulong ng kaniyang amo sapagka’t dito sa Saudi Arabia ay tunay na bawal po ang mag-suicide,” said OFW advocate in Saudi, Ruel Lusung Yumul.
The family has appealed to the Philippine Embassy and Consulate in Saudi and the Department of Foreign Affairs Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (DFA-OUMWA). However, they were instructed to wait for further developments.
In Islamic countries such as Saudi, suicide is forbidden. It is considered to be a criminal act against oneself.
Meanwhile, in the UAE, the act is considered a crime. “A person who attempts [to commit] suicide is subject to imprisonment that does not exceed 6 months, or a fine that does not exceed Dh5,000 or both,” Article No 335 reads.
