A cousin of Fahima “Candies” Alagasi posted these pictures on Facebook of the then 22-year-old Filipino household service worker who suffered second-degree burns after her employer poured boiling water on her. Alagasi is coming home soon, according to ACT-OFW Rep. Aniceto Bertiz III. FACEBOOK PHOTOS
The household service worker who suffered severe burns after her female employer in Saudi Arabia doused her with boiling water in 2014 is finally coming home, ACTS-OFW Rep. Aniceto “John” Bertiz III said Wednesday.
In a media briefing, Bertiz said Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Manila called and informed him that Fahima “Candies” Alagasi, 26, could now leave Riyadh following the intervention of President Rodrigo Duterte.
The lawmaker said he would process Alagasi’s clearance as soon as possible so she could come home in two weeks.
“Dr. Abdullah Bin Nasser Al-Bussairy notified me that the retaliatory cases filed by the employer against Pahima have been resolved through the intercession of Saudi Prince and Interior Minister Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif soon after his official visit to the President in Malacañang,” Bertiz said.
“We consider Fahima’s repatriation as a heartwarming gesture to President Durterte, who brought up her case when the Saudi Prince paid a courtesy visit to Malacañang on March 19,” he added.
The lawmaker said Alagasi was only 22 years old when her employer poured boiling water on her back after she accidentally dropped the lid of a thermos while preparing coffee.
Alagasi suffered second-degree burns on her neck, a large part of her back and thighs. She reeled in pain unattended for three hours before her employer allowed her to seek treatment.
READ: Relatives want justice for OFW burned by employer / Filipina scalded by employer waited three hours before getting help in Riyadh
While seeking treatment at the Raseel Medical Center, Alagasi was able to escape and seek refuge at a shelter run by the Philippine embassy in Riyadh.
“She filed a complaint against her employer but the case was dismissed by a Saudi court,” Bertiz said.
READ: Saudi employer accused of scalding OFW arrested but now out on bail
“The employer retaliated with a false accusation charge plus a claim for $66,000 (250,000 Saudi riyal) in damages against Pahima. The charge was dismissed by a Saudi judge, but the employer elevated the case to the appeals court,” he said.
The employer also filed an absconding case against Alagasi after she fled, according to Bertiz.
These cases, he said, held back Alagasi’s repatriation for nearly four years. /cbb
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