Dolores Balladares, chairperson of UNFIL-MIGRANTE-HK, said that the alleged drowning of Vicenta Flores, whose body was found at the Tung Chung pier in Hongkong April 11, is the third case of violent death among Filipino maids in less than a week.
BY JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
MIGRANT WATCH
Bulatlat
Vol. VIII, No. 12, April 27-May 3, 2008
United Filipinos in Hongkong (UNFIL-MIGRANTE-HK) rallied in front of the Headquarters of the Hongkong Police in Wanchai as well as in the Philippine Consulate Office to call for a comprehensive investigation on the death of Vicenta “Vicky” Flores, a 31-year old OFW whose body was recently found at Tung Chung pier last April 11.
The HongKong Police recently declared the cause of Vicky’s death as drowning. However, the protesters, mainly consisted of workers and residents of Discovery Bay, did not believe the findings of the police.
Dolores Balladares, chairperson of UNFIL-MIGRANTE-HK, said that Flores is the third case of violent death among Filipino maids in less than a week. “Whatever is the cause of such deaths – suicide, drowning, or murder – there is an urgent need for a review of Hong Kong policies that put us in a situation that is vulnerable to exploitation and abuses, making it unbearable for some of us,” she said.
The protesting OFWs are demanding that the Philippine government gives full assistance to Flores’ family, and to look into the unsettling questions surrounding her death. Balladares added that the Philippine government has done nothing concrete to support the family of Flores in pursuing her case. “The silence is even more condemnable considering the spate violent deaths of Filipinas this month alone,” said UNIFIL in a statement.
Earlier, a commemorative activity for Flores was held at the DB International School. During the said activity, Balladares said, they would closely monitor Flores’ case until is it resolved. (Bulatlat.com)
