DFA Welcomes Filing Of Case Vs Saudi Employer Who Forced OFW To Drink Household Bleach

20 September 2018 – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) today welcomed the filing by authorities in Saudi Arabia of a torture case against a local woman for forcing a Filipina to drink household bleach.

“We would like to thank authorities in Saudi Arabia for filing the necessary charges against the employer who abused our kababayan,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano said.

The Secretary issued the statement after the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah reported that authorities in Jizan Province have completed their investigation of the case of Agnes Mancilla, a 35-year-old household service worker from Infanta, Quezon.

“We are counting on our Saudi friends in ensuring that our kababayan would be able to obtain justice for the unthinkable deed committed against her,” Secretary Cayetano added.

The Consulate General said Mancilla was rushed to the King Fahad Central Hospital sometime in April and placed under intensive care for internal injuries sustained after she was forced to ingest the chemical agent.

According to Consul General Edgar Badajos, Mancilla’s employer made her drink the cleaning solution after she reportedly made a mistake in preparing tea.

Consul General Badajos said they later learned from Mancilla that her employer has been making her work for about 20 hours per day and only providing her with coffee for her meals.

Consul General Badajos said that when Consulate officials visited Mancilla at the hospital, she was bone-thin. Her back, ears, and arms also bore extensive injuries that could not have been self-inflicted.

According to lawyers retained by the Consulate General, Mancilla's case will now proceed to full trial. The lawyers said that if the employer is found guilty, she will be sentenced to a prison term plus possible lashing and financial compensation.