DFA Working Closely with Saudi Authorities on Case of OFW Forced by Employer to Ingest Household Bleach

16 April 2018 MANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is closely coordinating with authorities in Saudi Arabia in connection with the case of an overseas worker who remains in serious condition in a hospital after her employer allegedly forced her to drink household bleach. 

In a statement, the DFA said the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah is closely monitoring the condition of Agnes Mancilla, a household service worker, who remains in serious but stable condition at the King Fahad Central Hospital in Jizan in southwestern Saudi Arabia.

“We would like to assure our kababayans that we are working closely with authorities in Jizan to make sure that justice will be given to Agnes Mancilla,” Consul General Edgar Badajos said.

Mancilla was rushed unconscious by concerned members of the Filipino Community to the Jizan King Fahd Central Hospital on 2 April after her lady employer allegedly forced her to ingest household bleach. 

Mancilla underwent laparotomy immediately after she was taken to the hospital to flush out the bleach from her stomach. Doctors also found burn marks on her back.

Consul General Badajos said Consulate officials also visited Mancilla and made representations with authorities in Jizan to make sure the appropriate charges were filed against her employer who was later arrested by police. 

“The Consulate will regularly send representatives to Jizan to follow up her case with the police and to look into her condition,” Consul General Badajos added. 

He said the Consulate General has also requested the assistance of the Filipino Community in Jizan to help monitor the condition of Mancilla.

According to Consul General Badajos, Mancilla has been working in Saudi Arabia since 2016 but was repeatedly physically abused by her lady employer and was not being paid her salary. END