1 Pinay tortured, another stabbed in Kuwait

MANILA, Philippines – A Filipina worker was tortured to death by her employers while another Filipina was stabbed 31 times by her Egyptian husband, the Philippine embassy in Kuwait reported yesterday.

The Philippine embassy in Kuwait reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that Astria Samad Abdul, a Maguindanao native, was tortured to death by her employers, who were identified as spouses Abdulaziz al Falekh and Rabagh Mustafa Sahata.

“The couple admitted to the Kuwait police torturing Ms. Abdul to death and leaving her body in the Kabd desert area. The police found her remains on July 17,” the DFA said.

Abdul’s body will be subjected to further forensic examination and then repatriated to the Philippines. Criminal charges have been filed against the couple, who are both Kuwaitis of Egyptian descent.

The DFA has authorized the embassy to secure the services of a private law firm to assist the local prosecutors in handling the case.

Under the Revised Migrant Workers Act, the uses of the Legal Assistance Fund have been expanded to cover both the legal defense and prosecution of employers who maltreat their Filipino workers.

The embassy also reported to the DFA that Norhaisa Nasa Andaw, a native of Cotabato, was stabbed 31 times by her Egyptian husband, Atallah Mohammad, at a salon in Jabriya due to jealousy. Her husband then fled the scene, leaving behind the knife and his slippers.

The case is already with the prosecutors as a warrant of arrest and hold departure order have been issued against the husband.

The embassy is closely following the two cases.