Husband doubts OFW wife committed suicide in Saudi Arabia

The family of Jenny Reyes, the Filipina domestic helper who allegedly committed suicide in Saudi Arabia, is seeking justice as they expressed doubt that she took her own life as claimed by her employer.

John Paul Reyes, Jenny's widower, said in a report by GMA News' JP Soriano on Balitanghali on Wednesday that he believes his wife was already dead when she fell from the seventh floor of her employer's flat last May 28.

"Feeling po namin patay na po siya, hinulog po siya dun kasi sabi ng mga kalapit kwarto niya dun may naamoy na daw po sila sa labas ng bahay na may kakaiba daw po," Reyes said.

His suspicion was fueled by his last conversation with his wife, when it seemed like she wanted to tell him about an urgent matter but was held back by circumstances.

"Saka na lang po siya magkukwento. Parang may gusto po siyang sabihin na hindi niya po masabi kasi nakikigamit lang daw po siya ng cellphone," he said.

Susan Ople, who heads the pro-OFW group Blas F. Ople Policy Center and Training Institute, questioned the claim that Jenny jumped to her death, as the OFW had only been working in Saudi Arabia for two weeks and showed no problems beforehand.

"Dun ako parang nahihiwagaan. Kasi two weeks, parang kumbaga adjustment. Halos kararating mo pa lang. Ano 'yung mag-uudyok sa 'yo na tumakas, kung tumakas man 'yun?" Ople said.

Jenny's family, with the help of the Blas F. Ople Policy and Training Institute, is calling for the arrest of her employer, identified as Mona Ali Sadek based on the records of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.

In response, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has ordered the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh to conduct its own investigation into Jenny's death.

"Embassy lawyers are now investigating the case with police and forensic investigators and looking into all angles of the case," the DFA stated.

GMA News attempted to contact Jenny's employer through the contact details provided by the POEA, but it could not get a response. —Rie Takumi/KBK/KVD, GMA News