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28 March 2024

Bahrain probing Filipina maid's FB rape claim

The Philippines said on Friday it rescued a Filipina maid from her employer in Bahrain after she posted a desperate cry for help on her Facebook page. (Supplied)

Published
By AFP

The Philippines said on Friday it rescued a Filipina maid from her employer in Bahrain after she posted a desperate cry for help on her Facebook page.

In a Facebook video post on Thursday morning, Abby Luna claimed she was raped and beaten by her employer’s son. Staff at the Philippine embassy said they were alerted to her condition when the post went viral.

"The rescue was prompted by the video message... She is now under the care of our embassy," foreign ministry spokesman Charles Jose told AFP.

Philippine embassy officials and staff from Luna's employment agency picked her up from her employer's house, Jose said, adding that police were investigating the incident.

The video has attracted more than 100,000 shares.

Luna's alleged assailant denied to police that he attacked her, Ricky Aragon, vice-consul at the Philippine embassy in Bahrain, told AFP by phone.

In the three-minute long video, which appears to have been made on a webcam, a sobbing Luna accused her employer's ‘drug addict’ son of raping her. She also posted a written appeal for viewers to contact the Philippine embassy on her behalf.

"Help me get out of here. I'm scared. Until now, my genitals hurt. My leg is bruised. He (attacker) punched my leg to immobilise me," said the 28-year-old, who had been working in Bahrain for a year.

"After my employer's son abused me, he threatened to kill me and bury me in the desert if I tell anyone about what happened."