By Daisy CL Mandap
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| Police have confirmed the case as suicide |
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration has confirmed reports about the suicide of a 37-year-old Filipina domestic worker in
Mong Kok on Saturday, Nov. 2.
Welfare Officer Virsie Tamayao says she has been in touch
with the employment agency that deployed the victim, Ellen M.T., to Hong Kong less than two years ago.
The agency representative and Ellen’s employer are expected
to go to OWWA tomorrow, Nov. 5, to talk about repatriation.
“We will know more details about the case then,” said
Tamayao, who said she had heard of different stories about how Ellen had died.
OWWA records show that Ellen, who was from Lagro in
Novaliches, Quezon City , first came to Hong Kong to work in 2012. However, she apparently went
back home for awhile and returned to Hong Kong
more than a year ago to work for her current employer.
“Since she was re-deployed less than two years ago, she is
still covered by mandatory insurance,” said Tamayao.
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| Tamayao says the victim's family is entitled to death benefits from OWWA and mandatory insurance |
A spokeswoman for HK Police said Ellen’s death was
classified as suicide, and that there were no suspicious circumstances
surrounding her death.
She reportedly hanged herself with a towel in the flat of
her employer’s house at 11 Hoi Fai
Road
Police who responded to a call for help from a resident of
the flat took her down and sent her to Kwong Wah Hospital
No suicide note was found at the scene. A post-mortem
examination will be carried out to determine the exact cause of death.
Anyone who feels depressed or burdened by a problem may call The Samaritans' 24-hour hotline, 2896 0000 to get free counseling. Filipinos, especially domestic workers, may also call the Social Welfare Attache's office at the Consulate, 2823 8507 where there are trained counselors who can speak to them.
