Mary Jane Veloso’s OFW sister reports sexual abuse by foreign employer

The sister of Mary Jane Veloso has reportedly experienced sexual abuse from her employer overseas.

According to a ''24 Oras Weekend'' report by Vonne Aquino on Saturday, Veloso’s sister, who is currently working as a domestic helper in Saudi Arabia, was able to report her current situation during Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac’s visit to their parents’ residence in Nueva Ecija.

“Dalawang beses niya po kasi akong inakap patalikod po, na sabay hawak po. Sinabi ko po doon sa amo ko. Ngayon, parang ayaw niya maniwala ngayon na yun lang. Parang sinasabi niya sa akin na gusto ko yung ginagawa ng asawa niya,” she said.

(He hugged me from behind twice, and he was touching me. I told my female employer about the incident. Now, it’s like she doesn’t believe that it was all that happened. She’s implying that I liked what her husband did to me.)

Cacdac said that the labor attaché in Saudi Arabia would immediately offer assistance.

“Within this day, our labor attaché will get in touch with her and arrange for her safe return home. Kung may claim siya against her employer, then tutulungan din namin siya doon (If she has a claim against her employer, then we will help her),” he said.

Meanwhile, Cacdac delivered financial assistance, food baskets, and a TESDA scholarship voucher to the Veloso family.

Veloso was arrested in Indonesia in 2010 carrying a suitcase lined with 2.6 kilograms (5.7 pounds) of heroin and later sentenced to death by firing squad.

The mother of two's case sparked an uproar in the Philippines, with her family and supporters saying she was innocent and had been set up by an international drug syndicate.

On Wednesday, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said she would be handed over to Manila following years of "long and difficult" negotiations.

“Malaking-malaki na ang pagasa namin na tuloy na ang pag-uwi ng anak namin dito,” said Cesar Veloso, Mary Jane's father.

(We now have very high hopes that my daughter’s return will push through.)

“Yayakapin ko po agad ng mahigpit [ang nanay ko]. Hahalik-halikan ko po tapos papasyal po kami kahit saan po. Susulitin po namin ang nawala na oras,” added Mark Daren Candelaria, Veloso’s son.

(I will immediately hug [my mother] tight. I will kiss her and tour her around wherever she wants. We will make up for the time we lost.) — Jiselle Anne Casucian/VBL, GMA Integrated News