Facebook post ends Filipina’s rape ordeal

MANILA: The Philippines said Friday it rescued a Filipino maid from her employer in Bahrain after she posted a desperate cry for help on her Facebook page.
Staff at the Philippine Embassy were alerted to the plight of Abby Luna, who claims she was raped and beaten by her employer’s son, after she posted the video on her Facebook page. The video attracted about 78,000 shares and 19,000 likes.
“The rescue was prompted by the video message... She is now under the care of our embassy,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Charles Jose told AFP.
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. Luna’s alleged assailant denied to police that he attacked her, Ricky Aragon, vice-consul at the embassy in Bahrain, said.
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 privates hurt. My leg is bruised. He (attacker) punched my leg to immobilize 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.”
Luna said her employer did not believe her claims of being raped and beaten and insisted she finish the remaining two months of her contract before she could go home. Her employer also told her to have an abortion if she fell pregnant, she said.