Bulatlat

Francisco Castrodes’ wife Nama should have been home by December last year. She finished her three-year employment contract as a domestic helper in Saudi Arabia but her employer did not allow her to leave. In February, she decided to run away but was later accused of stealing her employer’s passport and was jailed. But where are the Philippine consulate officials who are supposed to help her?

BY CLAIRE DAGUIO
Northern Dispatch
Posted by Bulatlat

BAGUIO CITY (246 kms. North of Manila)-- Francisco Castrodes’ wife Nama should have been home by December last year. She finished her three-year employment contract as a domestic helper in Saudi Arabia but her employer did not allow her to leave. In February, she decided to run away but was later accused of stealing her employer’s passport and was jailed.

She called up her husband Francisco and told him about her ordeal. She said she would be transferred to a Jeddah prison. Nama has two children in San Jose, Bani, Pangasinan.

On February 28, Francisco sought the assistance of the office of the Overseas Workers' Welfare Administration (OWWA) in Region I regarding his wife's case.  After one month of waiting, the government agency still could not provide the information he requested. He also went to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Region I on March 28 but did not get the help he needed.

Frustrated, Francisco decided to seek the help of Migrante-Metro Baguio.

Migrante-Metro Baguio requested OWWA-Cordillera and Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers' Affairs Esteban Conejos to intervene in behalf of the Castrodes family for the immediate release from prison and repatriation of Nama.  Migrante-Kingdom of Saudi Arabia chapter also sent letters to Consul General Ezzedin Tago in Jeddah.

On June 4, Nama called Francisco.  She said she was still at the Al Wajh Police Station. She was advised by one of the authorities that only a representative from the Philippine embassy could take her out from prison.

The same day, Migrante sent a follow up letter to Consul General Tago in Jeddah.  Tago said he just received the approval of the Ministry of Interior for him and consulate representatives to visit Nama in jail.  He said that they would visit her on June 7.  No update has since been heard from the consul.  

Flora Belinan of Migrante Metro Baguio called on the Philippine Consulate in Jeddah and other responsible government agencies to immediately look into the case of Nama and to give it due attention.  Nordis/posted by Bulatlat