Probe into maid’s death in Qatar pressed
By Jerome Aning
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 20:43:00 04/23/2009
MANILA, Philippines -- A Middle East-based Filipino workers’ organization urged the government on Thursday to press for the speedy investigation into the death of a domestic helper who allegedly jumped out of her employers’ car in Qatar last month.
Migrante-Middle East suspected foul play in the death of Noliza Leynes, 24, and called for a thorough investigation.
The group also asked the Philippine Embassy in Qatar to make the proper representation on behalf of the Leynes family, according to an e-mail from John Leonard Monterona, the Saudi Arabia-based Migrante-ME regional coordinator.
To remove suspicions of a cover-up, an independent autopsy must be performed on Leynes’ remains before repatriation to Manila. Leynes’ remains are still at the Hamad Medical Corp. hospital in the capital Doha, the group said.
Qatar media reports said Leynes jumped out of the car that she was riding in on March 22. She died from head injuries on March 28, exactly three months after her arrival in Qatar on December 28.
Leynes’ mother, Corazon Magnaye, earlier went to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for help after being informed by her daughter’s recruitment agency that she was comatose.
Magnaye said her daughter called her on March 20 and 21 and told her that her Egyptian employer sexually harassed her. On a second occasion, the employer ordered Leynes to undress, Magyane reported.
Magnaye also told the DFA that her sister, Edith Vargas, called the Philippine labor office in Doha as well as Leynes’ recruiter in Manila, Dreams Manpower Recruitment, to report that Leynes was sexually abused by her employer.
Monterona said embassy officials in Qatar should not be reluctant to push for a thorough investigation to ultimately identify the culprit and file a case against him.
“Leynes’ relatives are crying for justice,” he said.
Migrante noted that the DFA and Vice President Noli de Castro earlier vowed to look into the death of Leynes but so far, no results have been made public.
Leynes’ grieving family in Lipa and Tiaong, Quezon have been wondering what happened to her case, said Migrante.
Probe into maid’s death in Qatar pressed
By Jerome Aning
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 20:43:00 04/23/2009
MANILA, Philippines -- A Middle East-based Filipino workers’ organization urged the government on Thursday to press for the speedy investigation into the death of a domestic helper who allegedly jumped out of her employers’ car in Qatar last month.
Migrante-Middle East suspected foul play in the death of Noliza Leynes, 24, and called for a thorough investigation.
The group also asked the Philippine Embassy in Qatar to make the proper representation on behalf of the Leynes family, according to an e-mail from John Leonard Monterona, the Saudi Arabia-based Migrante-ME regional coordinator.
To remove suspicions of a cover-up, an independent autopsy must be performed on Leynes’ remains before repatriation to Manila. Leynes’ remains are still at the Hamad Medical Corp. hospital in the capital Doha, the group said.
Qatar media reports said Leynes jumped out of the car that she was riding in on March 22. She died from head injuries on March 28, exactly three months after her arrival in Qatar on December 28.
Leynes’ mother, Corazon Magnaye, earlier went to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for help after being informed by her daughter’s recruitment agency that she was comatose.
Magnaye said her daughter called her on March 20 and 21 and told her that her Egyptian employer sexually harassed her. On a second occasion, the employer ordered Leynes to undress, Magyane reported.
Magnaye also told the DFA that her sister, Edith Vargas, called the Philippine labor office in Doha as well as Leynes’ recruiter in Manila, Dreams Manpower Recruitment, to report that Leynes was sexually abused by her employer.
Monterona said embassy officials in Qatar should not be reluctant to push for a thorough investigation to ultimately identify the culprit and file a case against him.
“Leynes’ relatives are crying for justice,” he said.
Migrante noted that the DFA and Vice President Noli de Castro earlier vowed to look into the death of Leynes but so far, no results have been made public.
Leynes’ grieving family in Lipa and Tiaong, Quezon have been wondering what happened to her case, said Migrante.