Rescue with benefits

It is human nature to be helpful. We witnessed this when the Philippines was affected by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name: “Haiyan”). Help came from different nations—money, food, water, medical volunteers and materials for housing, among others.

This spirit of altruism and camaraderie is also felt by many towards Filipino overseas domestics in the Middle East who fall victim to abuse and virtual slavery.  Many  of our kababayan help them immediately; some go out of their way to help rescue them.

But there is one person (with the initial GA) who has reaped enormous benefits helping overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). According to him being helpful to the oppressed runs in his blood. He grew up in a poor family and sympathized with our Pinay OFWs. He said  he saw his own mother in others who worked hard just to support their children through school.

One may assume that at first GA’s motives in helping others were pure. He seriously lent a hand when his assistance was called on.  He rescued  OFWs who ran away or escaped from their abusive employers.

Knowing the urgency of women in situations of abuse,  GA found himself  frequently rescuing or fetching runaway domestics.  Sometimes this even meant not reporting for his own work.

Before, when he rescued an  OFW, he immediately brought her to a women’s organization or directly to our nearest embassy or consulate.

But in the end, GA thought that it was better if he first kept them in his rented apartment. According to him, staying at his place was much safer than travelling because runaways are at risk of being caught by their employers.

It turns out  he molests and sexually abuses the women he rescues!

Those women he rescued could not do anything but follow his demands. Initially, nobody complained. They thought  that it was just right for them to give in as a way of returning the favor he rendered them.

The setup seemed to work well for GA. In his home, he had a cook, someone to do  the laundry, and another to clean and take care of the house.

When he rescues several women at the same time, he asks them all to sleep with him. According to him, it is safer they all sleep together.

This was until one Pinay OFW could not take it any longer and told the authorities about the what GA did to her.

She said she thought she would be rescued from harm and did not expect her rescuer would also bring her harm.

A formal complaint had already been filed against GA. Even the Philippine Embassy in that country filed a case against him, and warned the Filipino community of his modus operandi.

It appears GA conducted rescue operations for his own benefit, not to help others but to satisfy his perverse desires.

Susan Andes, also known as Susan K., can be heard over Inquirer Radio dzIQ 990 AM, Monday to Friday, 10:30 a.m.-12:00 noon. Audio/video live streaming is at www.ustream.tv/channel/ dziq Helplines: 0927-649 9870/0920-9684700. E-mail: bantayocwfoundati [email protected]/ [email protected]