GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The City Council honored on Tuesday an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) from this city who was saved from the death row in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
City Council members hailed former domestic helper Jennifer Dalquez for her perseverance and sacrifices, especially during her nearly four-year ordeal inside the UAE prison.
Dalquez, a resident of Barangay Labangal, attended the legislative body invitation from Councilor Lourdes Casabuena, who heads the committee on labor and overseas employment.
“This is a victory for Jennifer Dalquez. After several years in UAE prison, she is finally home,” Casabuena said.
She said Dalquez showed unrelenting “fighting spirit” despite facing uncertainty after being sent to the death row.
During the session, Dalquez recounted her difficult situation as a domestic helper and the time she spent at the UAE prison.
“Sobrang hirap po ng sitwasyon naming mga OFW. Mahirap ang trabaho at minsan kulang pa ang sahod mo (Our situation was difficult. Our work is tough and sometimes we are not paid right),” she said.
She thanked the City Council, the local government, and other stakeholders for supporting her during her ordeal.
The City Council had passed a resolution urging the UAE government to grant executive clemency for Dalquez and for President Rodrigo R. Duterte to assist her.
Dalquez, 31, returned home last Nov. 9 and reunited with her family after more than seven years abroad.
She was sentenced to death by a court in Al Ain, UAE in May 2015 for stabbing her employer to death on Dec. 7, 2014. She said the act was in self-defense after her employer tried to rape her.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Labor and Employment assisted in appealing the case that eventually given acquittal on June 19, 2017.
But she remained in detention to complete a five-year jail term for theft and was eventually released last Oct. 25.
Councilor Jose Edmar Yumang said the case of Dalquez showed the need to pass an ordinance that will provide protection to OFWs from the city.
“There should be a mechanism that will allow us to properly extend assistance to our distressed OFWs,” he said.
Councilor Shandee Llido-Pestano said they will work on the release of a livelihood assistance for Dalquez.
Pestano said Dalquez will undergo psychosocial debriefing and counseling sessions through the City Social Welfare and Development Office.
