DFA names OFW slain in Saudi

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) identified yesterday the Filipina household service worker in Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia who died of stab wounds and acid burns.

The DFA said the Philippine embassy in Riyadh will pursue a criminal case against any suspects in the death of Romelyn Eroy Ybanez, who was found in the kitchen of her employer’s home in Al-Khobar with stab wounds in her neck, abdomen and wrist, as well as acid burns in her mouth area, arms and legs. Reportedly, an almost empty container of sulfuric acid was recovered from the scene by the police.

Ybanez was taken by the Red Crescent to the King Fahd Hospital on Sept. 8, where she died due to her wounds and acid ingestion.

The DFA instructed the Philippine embassy to assist in pressing criminal charges once the perpetrator has been identified and secure the services of a private law firm using funds from the Legal Assistance Fund (LAF).

With the passage of Republic Act 10022, or the Revised Migrant Workers Act, the uses of the LAF have been expanded to cover both the legal defense and prosecution of cases involving Filipinos.

The embassy was also directed to work closely with the Saudi police and other authorities for the investigation of Ybanez’s death and facilitate the immediate repatriation of her remains.

The DFA has informed Ybanez’s family in Cotabato and has recommended to the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) to immediately investigate her recruitment agency, PRA Solidworks Manpower Resources and Promotion, for contract violations and suspend the firm’s license for the duration of the probe.

Upon investigation by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office, Ybanez was deployed on May 31 supposedly as a nursing aide, only to find herself working as household service worker.