OFW In Jordan Cries For Help After Philippine Labor Attaché’s Wife Allegedly Beat Her

With no one else to turn to, overseas Filipina worker  (OFW) Honey Lyn Baguiran took to social media to plead for help from the Philippine government after she was allegedly assaulted by the wife of the Philippine labor attaché in Amman, Jordan.

"Hindi ko alam kung may tutulong sa akin dito. ‘Di ko deserve na mabugbog at mapagbintangan nakipag-relasyon sa  isang (labor attaché) dito sa  Amman, Jordan," a crying Baguiran said in a video posted on Facebook on Sunday, March 7, by her sister, Honey Mae Caspillo.

"Pinagbantaan po buhay ko.  Sila dapat tutulong  sa amin dito pero hindi po," the 28-year-old OFW who identified the wife of labor attaché Jainal Rasul Jr. – Olivia – as her attacker.

She pleaded for protection, not only for herself, but also for her other family members who are in Davao City.

Baguiran said Rasul's wife accused her of having an illicit relationship with the Philippine labor official. She vehemently denied the accusation.

In two instances,  Baguiran added, the labor official's wife supposedly attacked her physically and then threatened to kill her and her family.  Caspillo said the first incident happened in June while the second was last Feb. 28. The second incident was stated in the report sent to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Wednesday, March 10, regarding the case.

 "Tulungan niyo po ako pati pamilya ko. Sabi ng asawa niya papatayin niya daw po ako. Natatakot  ako hindi ko alam kung saan ako hihingi ng tulong," Baguiran pleaded, referring to Olivia.

Caspillo said she immediately uploaded the video which was sent by her sister last March 4 after her release from Jordan jail. According to Caspillo, her sister was was arrested and put behind bars for two days beginning March 2 for allegedly blackmailing Rasul couple.  A friend bailed her out from prison and also lent her the cellphone to record her ordeal on video. A photo of Baguiran's bruised face was also posted on Facebook.

For six long years, Baguiran stressed she was employed as a translator at a recruitment agency in Jordan and did not experience any trouble while working overseas until she was maltreated by the labor official's wife.

Baguiran met Rasul because he signs the required document for workers to be deployed to Jordan from the Philippines.

"Hindi niya sinabi ‘yung una na binugbog siya. Tinago niya para ‘di mag-alala ang mama namin," Caspillo told The Philippine STAR in an interview.

"Nagsalita lang siya at sinumbong sa amin lahat na pinagbibintangan siya kahit hindi niya ginawa nitong pangalawang pagkakataon. Gusto lang naman daw niya magtrabaho eh bakit siya sinaktan," Caspillo said.

Upon her sister's pleading, Caspillo went to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) office in Davao City to file a complaint, but was told that it could not be acted upon because her sister is no longer a documented worker.

She then decided to seek the help of presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and is now awaiting response from her office.  The local agency that deployed her sister also offered to help them in pursuing the case against Rasul. Caspillo furnished The STAR with the letter that Baguiran sent to Carpio.

A Jordanian court is set to hear the case against Baguiran on March 22. "Sabi niya ilalaban niya ang kaso dahil wala naman siyang ginawa at wala naman siyang relasyon sa (labor attaché)," Caspillo stressed.

After Baguiran's video went viral,  Caspillo said the labor attaché asked her sister to take it down and withdraw the complaint against his wife. 

But right now, what the family of Baguiran wants  is for her to  safely come home to Davao City at the soonest possible time.

"Ang gusto ko lang makauwi kapatid ko.  Delikado ‘pag nandoon siya kasi kalaban niya malaking tao. Baka ‘di niya kaya at ma -depress ‘pag andun siya," Caspillo said.

Blackmail, extortion

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) chief Hans Cacdac assured Baguiran’s family that the government is already looking into the complaint of the OFW and that appropriate action will be taken to ensure her protection.

"This is a serious allegation. Currently we are looking into this matter and rest assured there will be adequate assistance," Cacdac said in a virtual briefing on Wednesday, March 10.

Cacdac said OWWA is coordinating with the DOLE’s International Labor Affairs Bureau and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) concerning the issue.

However, Cacdac said Baguiran may not be able to come home immediately because of the on-going investigation.

"Hindi pa natin alam kung kailan siya makakauwi because it will depend on the investigation here and abroad," Cacdac explained.

Upon the orders of  Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III,  the labor attaché sent to the DOLE an  explanation on the charges against him and his wife.

Citing Rasul’s report, Bello said the labor attaché denied that he has an illicit affair with Baguiran. He admitted though that Baguiran and his wife had a "heated discussion" but this was eventually settled.

Based on the claim of Rasul, Bello disclosed the OFW demanded $2,000 in exchange for a video that she recorded about the alleged maltreatment even after settling the dispute with Olivia.

Since he cannot afford to pay $2,000, the labor attaché negotiated to reduce the amount to $500 to which the OFW allegedly agreed.

But when she was already receiving the money, the Jordanian police arrested her as it turned out to be an entrapment. After this, the Rasul couple slapped Baguiran with blackmail and extortion charges.

"These are all allegations from the labor attaché. These allegations must be supported with corroborating statement from any witness," Bello said in an interview.

Bello noted he required Rasul to submit the police report and charge sheet to prove that Baguiran was really arrested and detained as he claimed.

“Both the sides of Baguiran and Rasul must be heard. I am giving him the chance to come out with evidence before ordering a formal investigation," Bello said.

"We have not received any complaint from the OFW, but I have already ordered the labor attaché to submit a written report and evidence," Bello bared.

"I have to hear his side and cannot just come up with a decision (based on the video) without any evidence," the labor secretary underscored.

If additional evidence and testimony from the OFW will be needed, Bello said he would send a team from the DOLE's legal office to Jordan to conduct a formal probe.

Once the allegations against him and his wife are proven true, Bello told The STAR said he would immediately recall Rasul from his post.

 "If that is true,  this might be a reason for me to recall or reassign him kasi mawawala credibility in that office.  Pero I first have to find out the truth," Bello said.