Bulletin: On the Rape of OFW in Jeddah

29 January 2019 — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is assisting a Filipina household service worker in Saudi Arabia who was allegedly raped by a representative of her recruitment agency.

The Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah said the suspect, a Saudi national, is now in custody after he was arrested by authorities upon the request of Consulate officials.

According to Consul General Edgar Badajos, the victim alleged she was raped five times by the suspect.

The rape allegedly happened after the agency representative took her from the female shelter of the Consulate after assuring the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) that she will be transferred to another employer. However, instead of taking her to the new employer, the suspect took the victim to a hotel where she was allegedly raped. The victim was able to contact POLO, which came up with an alibi for the suspect to bring her back to the Consulate.

Consul General Badajos said the suspect was arrested at the Consulate. He said the Consulate General is assisting the victim in filing a complaint, securing a medico legal endorsement, and collecting the necessary evidence from the hotel management. END