Photo courtesy of LJ Rubang Santos
The death of Marivic Muca, a domestic helper in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, made the rounds in social media as images of her frail state circulated online.
The 31-year-old overseas Filipino worker (OFW) died two days after reaching home in Barangay Limbonga, Godod town, Zamboanga Del Norte on February 20.
Asia Times previously reported that Muca was allegedly abused and starved by her employers before she died.
Mariz Doria, the relative of the victim, clarified to Cebu Daily News that Muca was not subjected to physical abuse by her employers.
However, she alleged that Muca’s employers failed to pay her P60,000, the equivalent amount of her compensation for three months.
Doria said that Muca was hospitalized in Saudi Arabia prior to her return in the Philippines.
The relative disclosed that Muca died of septic shock, community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB).
“Niwang kaayo siya unya di na lugos makatabi (She was so thin, and she could barely talk),” Doria said.
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) had given Muca’s family a cash assistance worth P20,000 and a scholarship to her child, who is a Grade 6 student.