Migrant Watch

Under the Macapagal-Arroyo administration
Seven OFWs Victims of ‘Mysterious Deaths’

Since 1999, at least seven overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) died of “mysterious deaths.”  But instead of SARS or another unknown disease, the likely culprit is the OFW’s abusive employer, an alliance of overseas Filipino groups said. 

By Ronalyn Olea

Bulatlat.com

Domestic helpers Juanita Lajot and Levie Argana Yoo: Victims of mysterious deaths

Migrante International revealed that five of the cases involve domestic helpers who allegedly jumped off from apartment or house balconies.  The other cases involve a seaman who reportedly jumped overboard and a boiler technician who reportedly hanged himself.
 

In a press conference late last week, Migrante International presented two recent cases of the mysterious deaths.

Foul play

Juanita Lajot, a 35-year old domestic helper in Singapore, was reported to have killed herself by jumping from her employer’s 18th floor balcony, Feb. 10.  But her family does not believe it was suicide. 

Asuncion de Castro, Juanita’s sister, said the victim even called last December to say she couldn’t come home for vacation because she was saving money to build a house here.  “Marami pa siyang plano at gusto niyang umuwi sa susunod na bakasyon” (She still had a lot of plans and looked forward to coming home on her next vacation). 

When Juanita’s body was brought home, the family asked the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct an autopsy.  Two stab wounds were found in her back.  The NBI report says the death was caused by multiple traumatic injuries.

The NBI also noted that other internal organs had been congested and embalmed already and that the stomach was almost empty.

Juanita, a native of Ipil, Zamboanga del Sur, regularly sent money for her 85-year old mother’s medical and daily needs and she helped her widowed sister who has 11 children. 

Domestic violence

The family of Levie Argana Yoo, 32 years old, also doubt she jumped to her death from her apartment’s 10th floor balcony.  Instead, they believe Levie’s husband may have pushed her after a heated fight. 

Levie first went to South Korea as a factory worker in 1994.  After her factory closed, she met and married Korean Chang Sik Yoo.  They have a 7-year-old son, Enchogia, who remains with relatives in South Korea.

Merly, Levie’s sister, said Levie was a victim of domestic violence adding she even sent pictures of herself to show the bruises she got from her husband.

Esther, also Levie’s sister who lives in South Korea, said the victim’s husband informed her of her sister’s death. Esther immediately went to Levie’s apartment and found the place in disarray and bloodstains were also evident.
 
Although Levie’s husband is now detained on charges of serious physical injury, Levie’s family want him brought to trial for murder. 

Other cases

The other mysterious death cases raised by Migrante International include that of domestic helpers Magdalina Martinez, Maricon Gatapia and Luzviminda Igar Agtang.

Magdalina Martinez, 51, was a domestic helper in Saudi Arabia.  Her employer says she accidentally fell from the second floor of their home.  However, in a letter she sent home, Magdalina already said she fears her employers might kill her. 

Maricon Gatapia, a 21-year-old domestic helper in Singapore, is also claimed to have committed suicide by jumping out of the 25th floor balcony of her employer’s home.  She had been in Singapore less than a week before she allegedly committed suicide.

Tito Gatapia, Maricon’s father, said the agency sent her as a tourist. 

The cause of Luzviminda’s death in Singapore last August 12 is also unknown.
 
Justice

Maita Santiago, secretary general of Migrante International called on the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Macapagal-Arroyo administration to exert all means to attain justice for OFW victims. 

“The continuing uncertainty surrounding the death of their relatives abroad remains a harsh blow for families left behind and in effect, deals them a double whammy,”  said Santiago.  “OFWs, especially domestic helpers, are often in very vulnerable situations abroad.  Isolated and kept in their employer’s home 24 hours a day, domestic helpers are virtual prisoners.”

Inutility

Juanita’s sister said they already asked the assistance of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).  “Tatawagan daw nila kami, pero hanggang ngayon wala pa” (They said they will call us, until now we have not heard from them), lamented Asuncion.

Asuncion said OWWA only gave them P15,000 for Juanita’s burial.

Gary Martinez, chair of a group of Filipino workers in Korea Kasama Ko, lambasted the Philippine Embassy in South Korea.  “Hindi man lang alam ng embahada na namatay na at na-cremate na ang bangkay ni Levie” (The embassy did not even know anything about Levie’s death).

Martinez said that the Macapagal-Arroyo government must investigate the “alarming trend of mysterious deaths” among the migrant Filipino workers and must exhaust “all means to protect the country’s new heroes.” Bulatlat.com

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