17-year-old OFW dies in Riyadh

AN overseas Filipino domestic worker, who happened to be a minor, died in Riyadh after being comatose for almost a month.

Riyadh-based John Monterona, leader of the militant labor group Migrante-Middle East, identified the victim as 17-year-old Rehana Bayan of Kabuntalan, Maguindanao.

“It was confirmed to us by her cousin Henry, who is based in Riyadh, via phone call. An official of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office- Overseas Workers Welfare Agency (POLO- OWWA) in Riyadh relayed to him the bad news,” Monterona said.

He also accused the Philippine embassy and POLO-OWWA offices in Riyadh of instructing the hospital where Bayan was earlier confined to keep secret the OFW’s medical bulletin.

“We have thought that OFW Rina was on her way to recovery. According to Henry, he was assured by the Philippine Embassy and POLO- OWWA that there are signs that Rina could recover,” he said.

Bayan was first brought to the Saudi Welfare Agency on September 19, showing signs that she was a “victim of brutality and inhumane treatment.”

“She could no longer walk and talk, and was in a state of coma, according to her fellow ward,” Monterona said.