Family of Filipina killed in UAE seeks justice

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Family of Filipina housemaid killed in UAE seeks justice

  DUBAI – The family of a Filipina housemaid killed in the UAE is seeking swift justice, saying it is the least that she deserved after sacrificing her life for her family. Maria Shiegrid “Grace” Sanchez Santos, 40, was reportedly killed during an argument with her Emirati employer on June 24. A case has already been filed with Sharjah Police. Three people, including Santos’ employer, are currently in custody at Al Wasit Police Station while investigations are ongoing. An initial report, furnished by Philippine Overseas Labor Office and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (POLO-OWWA) in Dubai and Northern Emirates, showed that Santos died due to head injuries. She was supposed to complete her employment contract this month and return home after she first arrived in the UAE on tourist visa in 2019 to work as a housemaid. Marielle Santos, one of the victim’s five children, said the Filipina even sent them videos of when she was maltreated by her employer and locked up inside her room. “She risked her life and endured all the hardships to give us a better life,” the younger Santos told TV Patrol in Filipino on Friday (July 16), describing her mother as “very kind”. The family from Pampanga hopes their mother will be given quick justice following her death. “Her feud with her employer worsened when they stopped paying her monthly salary. She was locked up inside her room without any food and was also beaten,” her daughter Marielle said. Meanwhile, OWWA Director Connie Marquez said that the victim’s family will get bereavement and educational assistance from the agency. Marquez said that OWWA will continue to coordinate with the Assistance to Nationals section of the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi while investigations into the case is ongoing. Meanwhile, Department of Labor and Employment chief Silvestre Bello has ordered the investigation of the illegal recruiter who facilitated Santos’ trip and subsequent employment in the UAE. Bello urged Filipinos to avoid dealing with illegal recruiters and urged victims’ families to help report incidents of maltreatment through Philippine hotline 1348. ICA/Expat Media

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