Filipina not forced to amicably settle rape case, says DFA

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh has denied it forced a Filipina to amicably settle a rape charge she filed against her manager in the oil-rich kingdom.

Instead, the embassy “vigourously assisted” Sofia (not her real name), who has been employed in a manpower supplier company in Saudi, the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

Embassy Third Secretary and Vice Consul Roussel Reyes said Sofia asked embassy assistance four months after the alleged molestation took place in September.

“In this regard, the embassy informed Sofia that if she wanted to continue the case, despite the time that has lapsed, the embassy would readily assist her,” Reyes said.

“The nature and the procedure of the case, as well as its consequences, were clearly explained to her,” he said.

In the story <a href=”https://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20110219-321138/Philippine-embassy-hit-over-advice-to-alleged-rape-victim-in-Saudi“> Philippine embassy hit over advice to alleged rape victim in Saudi</a>, John Leonard Monterona, Migrante Middle East regional coordinator, told Arab News that Sofia “had been forced to settle her case amicably as per the advice of the Philippine embassy allegedly because the case is weak since there’s no evidence.”

The embassy said that it was Sofia who decided it would be in her best interests to instead negotiate a settlement. She freely and voluntatily made her decision without any interference from the embassy, it said.

“The embassy will never force someone to arrive at a decion, or even dictate what a person should do, as doing so will violate the rights of the Filipinos it seeks to help in their times of distress,” it said.

The embassy is currently assisting Sofia to ensure that all her demands are met, it added.

At the same time, Reyes denied that her affidavit was not signed by a consular officer of the embassy.