Raped OFW in Saudi dies

MANILA, Philippines - A Filipina worker in Saudi Arabia who was allegedly raped by her employer has died.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello confirmed yesterday the death of Irma Avila Edloy, 35, at 11:45 p.m. on Thursday (Saudi time).

The labor chief is in Saudi Arabia to oversee the repatriation of overseas Filipino workers stranded there.

In a text message, Bello said Edloy’s family would get P150,000 in assistance from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and another $15,000 in “compulsory insurance benefits.”

Edloy arrived in Saudi Arabia on July 28 after she was recruited by Rejoice Employment International Corp. for her principal employer Al Sayyar Recruitment in Riyadh.

Early this week, Edloy was rushed to King Salman Hospital in Riyadh after sustaining severe injuries believed caused by sexual assault. She had since collapsed into coma.

But while at the hospital’s intensive care unit, the Edloy reportedly suffered cardiac arrest several times. 

Medical examinations conducted on the victim indicated that she was sexually abused. 

While the victim was not able to identify her attacker, she reportedly pointed at her employer when asked at the hospital who abused her. 

Hans Leo Cacdac, administrator of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, said they had started an investigation of her employer and Saudi and Philippine recruiters.

Cacdac gave assurance that suspension would be imposed on concerned agencies “pending investigation in accordance with POEA rules and regulations.”