A Filipino domestic worker was allegedly forced to drink bleach by her employer in Saudi Arabia, who is now in police custody. On April 2, Agnes Mancilla, 35, was rushed to King Fahad Central Hospital in Jizan by members of the Filipino community who found her unconscious, The Filipino Times reported on Monday.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in the Philippines said in a statement that Mancilla was recovering, but was still in a serious condition.
According to the DFA, Mancilla started working in Saudi Arabia in 2016 and was physically abused by her female employer. She was also not paid her salary.
Mancilla was rushed to hospital and immediately underwent a laparotomy to flush out the bleach from her stomach. The doctors also found burn marks on her back.
The Philippine Consul General in Jeddah was monitoring Mancilla’s condition and was working with Saudi authorities to file charges against the employer, who has been arrested.
“We would like to assure our compatriots that we are working closely with authorities in Jizan to make sure that justice will be given to Agnes Mancilla,” Consul General Edgar Badajos said.