2 Filipinos in Saudi Arabia, Lebanon die in alleged suicides – DFA

MANILA, Philippines — Two Filipina household service workers (HSWs) in Saudi Arabia and Lebanon allegedly committed suicide last week, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

The Philippine embassy in Beirut said an HSW from Cagayan was reported to have committed suicide by jumping from her employer’s sixth floor apartment in Beirut on June 11.

In the second incident, the Philippine embassy in Riyadh reported that an HSW from Agusan del Sur allegedly hanged herself at her employer’s residence in Al Hasa, some 350 kilometers from Riyadh, the next day.

The DFA said the Philippine embassies in Beirut and Riyadh are closely coordinating with investigating authorities in both countries to see to it that there was no foul play in the deaths of the two Filipina domestic workers.

The families of the two alleged suicide victims were assured by the DFA that it will extend the necessary assistance to them, including the repatriation of their remains as soon as possible.