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 MIGRANTE – United Arab Emirates
Hotline No. 00971504238851
Email : helpline@migrante-uae.net
Website http://www.migrante-uae.net
‘Suicide’ of OFWs on the rise, causes alarm as no govt. efforts seen
A chapter of the largest alliance of overseas Filipino workers’ organizations in the Middle East today
said that the increase of reported ‘suicide’ of OFWs in the United Arab Emirates is quite alarming as
there is no action seen from the concerned Philippine officials in the said Middle Eastern country.
“We are alarmed in the increase of reported ‘suicide’ of OFWs in the Emirates. Migrante chapter in
Dubai has already recorded 7 cases of ‘suicide’,” said Nhel Morona, Migrante-UAE Secretary-General.
“Migrante-UAE chapter came to know these cases of ‘suicide’ as family members of the victim have
sought assistance from us and we are quite surprised aside from the fact that it reflects sudden
dramatic increase of suicide cases but also our government officials in the Emirates have done nothing
on these cases but simply declared these as ‘suicide’ without thorough investigation,” Morona added.
The below are the reported ‘suicide’ cases and respective dates of the victims' death Migrante-UAE has
monitored:
- Roderick Miranda – who reported hanged himself on 4 Feb. 2008
- Norayda Ayuman – who reportedly jumped from the 7th Floor of the building on 6 Feb. 2008
- Jeffrey Alberto So – who reported jumped from the 3rd Floor of the building on 13 June 2008
- Mitos Vergara (already repatriated) – who reported jumped from the building on 24 June 2008
- Myrna Baylosis – (still in the custody of Abu Dhabi Police) who reportedly jumped from the 4th floor of the building on 8 July 2008
- Remedios Waayan – from benguet repatriated 24 July, 2008
- Evelyn Lilo – a recent victim jumped from the building on 10 August, 2008.
Aside from the above-listed, Migrante-UAE is still confirming the 2 reported ‘suicide’ cases of 1 man
and 1 woman, all are Abu Dhabi-based OFWs.
“We would like to call the attention of the Department of Foreign Affairs to instruct their officials in the United Arab Emirates to thoroughly investigate the above-listed cases and to arrange for an autopsy inviting the families of the victims to shed light on the circumstances of their deaths so that the victims’ family members will be calmed and at peace with no doubt at all on the cause of their love one’s death,” Morona added.
“But if found on the autopsy reports that there is foul play, is it but right for our officials abroad to pursue by filling a case against the alleged perpetrators,” Morona averred.
Migrante ME said they don’t want to see a repeat of OFW Eugenia Baja, who was reported by the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh,committed suicide inside her employer’s house only to find out later after
an autopsy in the Philippines has been conducted that she has suffered from heavy bruises and a stab
of knife at the side of her body.
“It is a clear example of cover-up initiated by no less than our Philippine Embassy officials so that the
perpetrators will be left unpunished of their crime against OFW victim. Now, on whose interest our
officials abroad working and protecting for? queried John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator of
Migrante Middle East.
Monterona said that the incompetence of our officials abroad is but a reflection of how the present
Arroyo administrations badly treated OFWs and their families. “This administration has been observed
to be negligent and put OFWs last and never on its priority,” he continued.
“If the Arroyo administration really cares for OFWs, it should instruct all the line agencies under her
control to work for and conclude labor rights agreement that would ensure the protection and
advancement of OFWs rights and welfare, send capable, competent public servants abroad at the
service of OFWs who has been contributing much that keeps our economy afloat and issued instruction
to immediately scrap remittances charges and fees to provide economic relief to OFW families,”
Monterona added.
Monterona said the Arroyo regime does not care for OFWs and their families and as a premier exporter of human labor, it is not worthy of emulation by other migrant-sending governments as it has
been negligent and remiss on its duty and state responsibility to the sector contributing much in
surviving the economy long in crisis.
“The Arroyo government, a premier exporter of human labor, has been told by migrant-sending and
receiving governments with the sanction by 1st World Countries which are leading members of
the World Trade Organization (WTO) to host the 2nd Global Forum on Migration and
Development (GFMD) in Manila this coming October 2008 only to showcase its numerous tainted
records of criminal neglect to OFWs and their families,” Monterona ended.
Migrante member-organizations vow to exhibit the Arroyo regime’s negligence and gross disregard to
migrant rights on that occasion so that the world may know and condemn her regime. ###
For references:
Nhel Morona, Secretary-General
Migrante-UAE Chapter
Mobile No.: 00971 504238851
John Leonard Monterona
Migrante Middle East regional coordinator
Mobile No.: 00966 564 97 8012
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