MSNBC.com
June 27, 2010
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Doctors removed 13 nails and five needles from a Sri Lankan maid who says the couple she worked for in Saudi Arabia hammered them into her body.
L.G. Ariyawathi, who was hospitalized with severe pain after returning Saturday from Saudi Arabia, has said the family she worked for punished her by heating the nails and needles before sticking them into her.
X-rays showed that she had 24 nails and needles in her body, said Dr. Keerthi Satharasinghe of Kamburupitiya hospital, about 100 miles from the capital, Colombo.
The nails ranged in length from one to two inches while the needles were about one inch long. They were removed from her legs and forehead.
"The surgery is successful and she is recovering now," Satharasinghe said after the three-hour procedure.
Satharasinghe said Thursday that the woman's initial puncture wounds had healed over, but that Ariyawathi found it difficult to walk because she had two nails in her knee and two in her ankles.
Another needle was in her forehead, and the rest in her hands, he said Thursday.
After her surgery, the doctor said six needles in her hands could not be removed because the operation might damage her nerves and arteries, but that they would not be harmful to her.
'They did not allow me even to rest'
Since being hospitalized, Ariyawathi, 49, has described the alleged abuse carried out by her former employers.
"They did not allow me even to rest. The woman at the house had heated the nails and then the man inserted them into my body," Ariyawathi was quoted as saying by the Lakbima newspaper.
She told the newspaper that she went to Saudi Arabia in March but was paid only two months' salary, with her employer withholding the rest to buy an air ticket to send her home.
Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, deputy minister of economic development, said in a statement on a government website Thursday that the 24 nails were "inside the body due to torture meted out by her Saudi employer."
Abeywardena said the government would "report about this matter to the Saudi Government and provide her adequate compensation."
Sri Lanka's Foreign Employment Bureau said Ariyawathi had been too afraid to complain about the abuse to Saudi authorities, fearing that her employers might not let her return home.
The bureau is a government agency that oversees the welfare of expatriate workers.
Kingsley Ranawaka, chairman of bureau, told the BBC that the government has " launched a strong protest with the Saudi government through the external affairs minister, but there has been no response yet."
'They have to take action'
Nimal Ranawaka, labor counselor at the Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh, said the embassy had requested a meeting with Saudi officials.
"We informed Saudi authorities. They have to take action against the employer," Ranawaka said.
Saudi officials did not respond to requests for comment.
This "kind of story triggers the talk and debate to improve labor laws in the country," Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper columnist Hussein Shobokshi told Al Jazeera. He added that the issue has been a topic of discussion for "quite some time now."
"You will soon see the ministry of labor, the Shariah Council and the Human Rights Commission jointly activate important rules and regulations in order to prevent such incidents from occurring again and punishing people who are responsible for it," the Al Jazeera report quoted Shobokshi as saying.
About 1.5 million Sri Lankans work abroad, many as maids or drivers, to earn more than they can in their own impoverished country. Nearly 400,000 work in Saudi Arabia alone.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38879983/ns/world_news-south_and_central_asia/
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Monday, June 7, 2010
Court issues new arrest warrant vs Tanenglian, family (The Philippine Star)
A Quezon City judge has issued a new warrant of arrest and hold departure order against Mariano Tanenglian and his family due to criminal charges filed against them by a former maid.
Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 102 Judge Ma. Lourdes Giron issued a seven-page order after finding probable cause for violation of the Anti-Child Abuse Law (RA 7610) in five cases pending against Mariano, his wife Aleta, and children Fayette and Maximilian.
Giron set bail at P80,000 for each count of the charges against the Tanenglians by their former housemaid, Mary Jane Sollano.
Giron, however, cleared the Tanenglians of charges for alleged violation of the Anti-Trafficking of Persons and for kidnapping and serious illegal detention, both unbailable offenses.
The judge said the complainant was not forced to render service to the accused since the complainant was first recruited by an employment agency and later deployed to the Tanenglian household.
Giron also said there was no illegal detention because it was necessary for the maid to stay at the house of the accused.
Quezon City RTC Branch 94 Judge Roslyn Rabara-Tria also issued a warrant of arrest and directed the issuance of an HDO against the Tanenglians in connection with similar charges filed earlier by Aljane Bacanto, another former maid of the Tanenglians.
The Tanenglians also have pending cases before Branch 94 for nine counts of violating RA 7610, Republic Act 9208 (Anti-Trafficking of Persons Act), kidnapping, and serious illegal detention.
Members of the women’s group Gabriela attended the hearing in a show of support. Lana Linagan, Gabriela secretary general, said they hope the arrest warrants are served to show that justice does not discriminate between the poor and the rich.
The parents of the two maids, who were present at the hearing, said they would pursue the separate cases of their children and would not accept any settlement if any was offered.
Lawyers of both parties declined to comment citing the confidential nature of Family Court proceedings. Both Branch 102 and 94 are Family Courts.
Source:
Jerry Botial, The Philippine Star
June 05, 2010
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=581383&publicationSubCategoryId=65
Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 102 Judge Ma. Lourdes Giron issued a seven-page order after finding probable cause for violation of the Anti-Child Abuse Law (RA 7610) in five cases pending against Mariano, his wife Aleta, and children Fayette and Maximilian.
Giron set bail at P80,000 for each count of the charges against the Tanenglians by their former housemaid, Mary Jane Sollano.
Giron, however, cleared the Tanenglians of charges for alleged violation of the Anti-Trafficking of Persons and for kidnapping and serious illegal detention, both unbailable offenses.
The judge said the complainant was not forced to render service to the accused since the complainant was first recruited by an employment agency and later deployed to the Tanenglian household.
Giron also said there was no illegal detention because it was necessary for the maid to stay at the house of the accused.
Quezon City RTC Branch 94 Judge Roslyn Rabara-Tria also issued a warrant of arrest and directed the issuance of an HDO against the Tanenglians in connection with similar charges filed earlier by Aljane Bacanto, another former maid of the Tanenglians.
The Tanenglians also have pending cases before Branch 94 for nine counts of violating RA 7610, Republic Act 9208 (Anti-Trafficking of Persons Act), kidnapping, and serious illegal detention.
Members of the women’s group Gabriela attended the hearing in a show of support. Lana Linagan, Gabriela secretary general, said they hope the arrest warrants are served to show that justice does not discriminate between the poor and the rich.
The parents of the two maids, who were present at the hearing, said they would pursue the separate cases of their children and would not accept any settlement if any was offered.
Lawyers of both parties declined to comment citing the confidential nature of Family Court proceedings. Both Branch 102 and 94 are Family Courts.
Source:
Jerry Botial, The Philippine Star
June 05, 2010
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=581383&publicationSubCategoryId=65
Taipan’s brother gets another arrest warrant (Manila Standard Today)
Mariano Tanenglian—-taipan Lucio Tan’s brother—-again faces arrest over criminal charges filed by another former maid.
In an order dated May 18, 2010, Branch 102 Judge Ma. Lourdes Giron of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court also directed the issuance of a hold departure order on him, wife Aleta along with children Fayette and Maximilian for violation on five counts of the Anti-Child Abuse law.
“Allegations in the affidavit of the private complainant would reveal that there is more of an abuse or maltreatment committed by the accused,” the court ruled.
A bail of P80,000 was set for each of the charges filed against the Tanenglians by former maid Mary Jane Sollano for maltreatment.
But Giron has cleared them of violating the Anti-Trafficking of Persons law, and for kidnapping and serious illegal detention which are unbailable.
She found no showing of involuntary servitude because Sillano was recruited by an employment agency which placed her in the Tanenglian household.
Last May 4, QC RTC Branch 94 Judge Roslyn Rabara-Tria issued a warrant of arrest and hold order against the accused on similar charges filed by former maid Aljane Bacanto.
A women’s advocacy group led by Grabriela secretary general Lana Linagan attended Friday’s hearing on the accused’s motion to quash.
“We hope that the warrants of arrest would be eventually served to show that justice does not discriminate between the poor and the rich,” she said, urging lawmakers to pass a measure affording better protection for household service providers.
Also at the hearing were the maids’ parents who vowed to pursue the separate cases of their children and reject any settlement, if offered.
Lawyers of both parties, refused to make any comment, citing the confidentiality of Family Court proceedings.
Complainant Bacanto was represented by counsel Al Parreno with lawyer Jose Flaminiano for the Tanenglians.
In her complaint filed before the Department of Justice, Bacanto said from the time she was hired in May 2006, the accused restricted her to the residence. She was also not given enough food and her salary remained unpaid.
Source:
Roy Pelovello, Manila Standard Today
June 5 - 6, 2010
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideMetro.htm?f=2010/june/5/metro2.isx&d=2010/june/5
In an order dated May 18, 2010, Branch 102 Judge Ma. Lourdes Giron of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court also directed the issuance of a hold departure order on him, wife Aleta along with children Fayette and Maximilian for violation on five counts of the Anti-Child Abuse law.
“Allegations in the affidavit of the private complainant would reveal that there is more of an abuse or maltreatment committed by the accused,” the court ruled.
A bail of P80,000 was set for each of the charges filed against the Tanenglians by former maid Mary Jane Sollano for maltreatment.
But Giron has cleared them of violating the Anti-Trafficking of Persons law, and for kidnapping and serious illegal detention which are unbailable.
She found no showing of involuntary servitude because Sillano was recruited by an employment agency which placed her in the Tanenglian household.
Last May 4, QC RTC Branch 94 Judge Roslyn Rabara-Tria issued a warrant of arrest and hold order against the accused on similar charges filed by former maid Aljane Bacanto.
A women’s advocacy group led by Grabriela secretary general Lana Linagan attended Friday’s hearing on the accused’s motion to quash.
“We hope that the warrants of arrest would be eventually served to show that justice does not discriminate between the poor and the rich,” she said, urging lawmakers to pass a measure affording better protection for household service providers.
Also at the hearing were the maids’ parents who vowed to pursue the separate cases of their children and reject any settlement, if offered.
Lawyers of both parties, refused to make any comment, citing the confidentiality of Family Court proceedings.
Complainant Bacanto was represented by counsel Al Parreno with lawyer Jose Flaminiano for the Tanenglians.
In her complaint filed before the Department of Justice, Bacanto said from the time she was hired in May 2006, the accused restricted her to the residence. She was also not given enough food and her salary remained unpaid.
Source:
Roy Pelovello, Manila Standard Today
June 5 - 6, 2010
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideMetro.htm?f=2010/june/5/metro2.isx&d=2010/june/5
Bagong warrant, HDO inisyu vs utol ni Lucio Tan (Pilipino Star Ngayon)
Nagpalabas ng panibagong warrant of arrest at hold departure order (HDO) ang Quezon City court laban kay Mariano Tanenglian, kapatid ni Tycoon Lucio Tan, at sa pamilya nito kaugnay ng kasong kriminal na isinampa laban sa kanila ng dating kasambahay na si Mary Jane Sollano na nag-aakusang minaltrato siya ng mga naging amo.
Sa 7-pahinang desisyon na ipinalabas noong Mayo 18, 2010 ni QC Regional Trial Court (QC RTC) Branch 102 Judge Ma. Lourdes Giron ipinag-utos nito ang pagpapalabas ng warrant of arrest at HDO laban sa mga Tanenglian matapos mabatid na may batayan ang inihaing limang kaso ni Sollano kaugnay ng paglabag sa Anti-Child Abuse Law (R.A. 7610).
Kabilang sa mga akusadong bababaan ng mga warrant sina Mariano, ang asawa nitong si Aleta, at mga anak na sina Favette at Maximilian.
“In sum, the allegations in the affidavit of the private complainant would reveal that there is more of an abuse or maltreatment committed by the accused against the former,” pahayag ni Judge Giron. Nagtakda ng P80,000 piyansa ang korte para sa bawat kasong naihain laban sa mga akusado.
Sa kabilang dako, ipinawalang-sala naman ni Judge Giron ang mga Tanenglian sa paglabag sa Anti-Trafficking of Persons, kidnapping at serious illegal detention—na pare-parehong hindi napipiyansahang kaso.
Ayon sa hukom hindi umano pinuwersa ng pamilya ang nagrereklamo na mamasukan sa kanila sapagkat nagmula ito sa isang employment agency bago maitalaga sa bahay ng mga akusado.
Wala rin umanong iligal na pagkulong na naganap dahil importante sa isang kasambahay na manatili sa bahay ng kanyang amo.
Nauna na si QC RTC Branch 94 Judge Roslyn Rabara-Tria na nag-isyu ng warrant of arrest at nag-atas na maglabas ng HDO laban sa mga Tanenglian na kaugnay naman sa kasong inihain ng isa ring dating kasambahay na si Aljane Bacanto.
Source:
Angie dela Cruz, Pilipino Star Ngayon
June 05, 2010
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=581326&publicationSubCategoryId=93
Sa 7-pahinang desisyon na ipinalabas noong Mayo 18, 2010 ni QC Regional Trial Court (QC RTC) Branch 102 Judge Ma. Lourdes Giron ipinag-utos nito ang pagpapalabas ng warrant of arrest at HDO laban sa mga Tanenglian matapos mabatid na may batayan ang inihaing limang kaso ni Sollano kaugnay ng paglabag sa Anti-Child Abuse Law (R.A. 7610).
Kabilang sa mga akusadong bababaan ng mga warrant sina Mariano, ang asawa nitong si Aleta, at mga anak na sina Favette at Maximilian.
“In sum, the allegations in the affidavit of the private complainant would reveal that there is more of an abuse or maltreatment committed by the accused against the former,” pahayag ni Judge Giron. Nagtakda ng P80,000 piyansa ang korte para sa bawat kasong naihain laban sa mga akusado.
Sa kabilang dako, ipinawalang-sala naman ni Judge Giron ang mga Tanenglian sa paglabag sa Anti-Trafficking of Persons, kidnapping at serious illegal detention—na pare-parehong hindi napipiyansahang kaso.
Ayon sa hukom hindi umano pinuwersa ng pamilya ang nagrereklamo na mamasukan sa kanila sapagkat nagmula ito sa isang employment agency bago maitalaga sa bahay ng mga akusado.
Wala rin umanong iligal na pagkulong na naganap dahil importante sa isang kasambahay na manatili sa bahay ng kanyang amo.
Nauna na si QC RTC Branch 94 Judge Roslyn Rabara-Tria na nag-isyu ng warrant of arrest at nag-atas na maglabas ng HDO laban sa mga Tanenglian na kaugnay naman sa kasong inihain ng isa ring dating kasambahay na si Aljane Bacanto.
Source:
Angie dela Cruz, Pilipino Star Ngayon
June 05, 2010
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=581326&publicationSubCategoryId=93
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Arrest warrant, HDO for tycoon’s brother (People's Journal)
A QUEZON City court ordered the issuance of another warrant of arrest and hold departure order for the brother of tycoon Lucio Tan and his family in connection with the charges filed against them by their former housemaid.
Judge Ma. Lourdes Giron ordered the arrest of Mariano Tanenglian, his wife Aleta and their two children after finding probable cause to indict them for violation of Republic Act 7610 or the Anti-Child Abuse Law in five sets of cases pending against the accused.
“In sum, the allegations in the affidavit of the private complainant would reveal that there is more of an abuse or maltreatment committed by the accused against the former,” the judge said.
The case against the Tanenglians was filed by their ex-maid Mary Jane Sollano.
The court set a bail of P80,000 for the accused for each of the five charges filed against them.
However, Giron cleared the accused of the charges of violation of the Anti-Trafficking of Persons and for kidnapping and serious illegal detention, both non-bailable offenses.
The judge said there was no involuntary servitude committed by the accused since the complainant was first recruited by an employment agency and later deployed to the Tanenglian household.
The court added there was no illegal detention because it was necessary for the maid to stay at the house of the accused.
Last May 4, Judge Roslyn Rabara-Tria issued an arrest warrant against the Tanenglians in connection with similar charges filed by Aljane Bacanto, another former maid of the accused.
In yesterday’s hearing, the accused filed a motion to quash the warrant of arrest and HDO issued against them.
Source:
Melnie Ragasa-Jimena, People's Journal
June 4, 2010
http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/metro/11015-arrest-warrant-hdo-for-tycoons-brother.html
Judge Ma. Lourdes Giron ordered the arrest of Mariano Tanenglian, his wife Aleta and their two children after finding probable cause to indict them for violation of Republic Act 7610 or the Anti-Child Abuse Law in five sets of cases pending against the accused.
“In sum, the allegations in the affidavit of the private complainant would reveal that there is more of an abuse or maltreatment committed by the accused against the former,” the judge said.
The case against the Tanenglians was filed by their ex-maid Mary Jane Sollano.
The court set a bail of P80,000 for the accused for each of the five charges filed against them.
However, Giron cleared the accused of the charges of violation of the Anti-Trafficking of Persons and for kidnapping and serious illegal detention, both non-bailable offenses.
The judge said there was no involuntary servitude committed by the accused since the complainant was first recruited by an employment agency and later deployed to the Tanenglian household.
The court added there was no illegal detention because it was necessary for the maid to stay at the house of the accused.
Last May 4, Judge Roslyn Rabara-Tria issued an arrest warrant against the Tanenglians in connection with similar charges filed by Aljane Bacanto, another former maid of the accused.
In yesterday’s hearing, the accused filed a motion to quash the warrant of arrest and HDO issued against them.
Source:
Melnie Ragasa-Jimena, People's Journal
June 4, 2010
http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/metro/11015-arrest-warrant-hdo-for-tycoons-brother.html
Friday, June 4, 2010
New warrants, hold orders for tycoon's brod over child abuse raps (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
A Quezon City Judge has issued new hold departure orders and warrants for the arrest of Mariano Tanenglian, brother of businessman Lucio Tan, and his family in connection with the criminal case filed against them by a former maid.
Judge Lourdes Giron of Regional Trial Court Branch 102 ordered the arrest of Tanenglian, his wife Aleta, and children Fayette and Maximilian after finding probable cause that they violated the Anti-Child Abuse Law.
The court however cleared the accused of other charges for violation of the Anti-Trafficking of Persons, for kidnapping and for serious illegal detention.
“In sum, the allegations in the affidavit of the private complainant would reveal that there is more of an abuse or maltreatment committed by the accused against the former,” the court said.
The case before Giron was filed by their former househelp, Mary Jane Sollano, who alleged that her employers maltreated her in the five years that she worked for them, starting when she was still 13 years old.
The court set a bail of P80,000 for the accused for each of the eight counts of child abuse against them.
In clearing the Tanenglians of the other charges, Giron said there was no involuntary servitude committed by the accused as the complainant was recruited by an employment agency and later deployed to the Tanenglians.
The court also said there was no illegal detention because it was necessary for the maid to stay at the house of the accused.
The Tanenglians are also facing another case filed by another former housemaid, Aljane Bacanto, before Judge Roslyn Rabara-Tria of RTC Branch 94.
Charges pending before Branch 94 are for nine counts of violation of the Anti-Child Abuse Law, violation of Republic Act 9208 or Anti-Trafficking of Persons, kidnapping, and serious illegal detention.
The Tanenglians have filed a motion to quash the warrants of arrest and hold departure orders before Branch 94.
Judge Lourdes Giron of Regional Trial Court Branch 102 ordered the arrest of Tanenglian, his wife Aleta, and children Fayette and Maximilian after finding probable cause that they violated the Anti-Child Abuse Law.
The court however cleared the accused of other charges for violation of the Anti-Trafficking of Persons, for kidnapping and for serious illegal detention.
“In sum, the allegations in the affidavit of the private complainant would reveal that there is more of an abuse or maltreatment committed by the accused against the former,” the court said.
The case before Giron was filed by their former househelp, Mary Jane Sollano, who alleged that her employers maltreated her in the five years that she worked for them, starting when she was still 13 years old.
The court set a bail of P80,000 for the accused for each of the eight counts of child abuse against them.
In clearing the Tanenglians of the other charges, Giron said there was no involuntary servitude committed by the accused as the complainant was recruited by an employment agency and later deployed to the Tanenglians.
The court also said there was no illegal detention because it was necessary for the maid to stay at the house of the accused.
The Tanenglians are also facing another case filed by another former housemaid, Aljane Bacanto, before Judge Roslyn Rabara-Tria of RTC Branch 94.
Charges pending before Branch 94 are for nine counts of violation of the Anti-Child Abuse Law, violation of Republic Act 9208 or Anti-Trafficking of Persons, kidnapping, and serious illegal detention.
The Tanenglians have filed a motion to quash the warrants of arrest and hold departure orders before Branch 94.
Source:
Julie M. Aurelio
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Posted June 4, 2010
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/metro/view/20100604-273843/New-warrants-hold-orders-for-tycoons-brod-over-child-abuse-raps