The head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People wants a full investigation on the death of an overseas Filipino worker who was allegedly raped by her employer in Saudi Arabia.
Irma Edloy, a 35-year-old domestic helper, died Friday in a hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where she was taken for treatment of severe injuries from suspected sexual assault.
“We in the CBCP ECMI condemn her violent rape and seek justice,” Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos said in a statement.
“We ask our Labor Department to fully investigate the recruitment process she underwent and hold the agency that sent her to her employer criminally accountable,” he added.
The CBCP ECMI head asked the Labor department to prosecute the persons behind the agency and “make sure no one else falls victim to them.”
Santos said the news on the death of Edloy deeply saddens the commission as her noble intention to provide for her family has turned into tragedy.
“Our hearts are rent again by the deeply saddening news of the death of our kababayan Irma. Her noble intention to be an OFW to be able to provide for the needs of her family and loved ones and uplift their life has turned to tragedy,” he said.
“Let’s pray for Irma, that her soul may find rest and peace. Let’s pray for all our OFW that they may be always safe from harm and distress,” added Santos.
The Balanga prelate reminded Philippine Embassy officials to redouble their efforts in protecting and caring for our OFWs.
“Safeguard their human and labor rights and to make sure that when Filipinos go to work in foreign lands they do not go to their death,” Santos said. (Leslie Ann G. Aquino)
