KUWAIT CITY - A Filipino overseas worker in Kuwait who was raped, stabbed in the neck, and left for dead in a desert by a policeman, returned to the Philippines this Sunday after achieving justice in 8 years of fighting in his case.
It seems that “Marissa,” not her real name, received an early Christmas present, when a Kuwaiti court convicted the Kuwaiti police who raped her in 2012.
“Just be strong and pray that the Lord will not forsake us, let us not forget him because everyone who comes into our lives also has a good future… 8 years he gave me the strength to face the trial that came into my life,” Marissa said in an interview with ABS-CBN News.
A 35-year-old native of T’Boli, South Cotabato, single parent and one child. He was among the more than 300 OFWs who returned home last November. 29 using Kuwaiti Airways chartered flight.
Sept. 12, 2006 when the Filipina first arrived in Kuwait and was employed as a household service worker.
According to Marissa, her friend and I were on our way home in a taxi last September night. 30, 2012 when it was blocked by a police officer.
Since his residence visa had expired and was under renewal, the suspect took him to a police car and took him to a desert in South Surra where he was raped and stabbed in the neck and back.
Police left her dead, but Marissa was able to crawl to a roadside where she was spotted by a passing car and taken to Mubarak Al Kabeer Hospital.
In June 2014, the Kuwait Court of First Instance sentenced a policeman to death after being found guilty of a crime but sentenced him to life imprisonment after his lawyer appealed.
The last meeting between Marissa and Kuwaiti human rights lawyer Sheikha Fawzia, who did not pay for her services, was emotional.
“I wish you [a] good life, forget what had happened before. I wish you peace of mind and happiness, ”said Fawzia.
“Everything is normal, it’s [a] dream then you start a new life. Khalas… Now you start again, ”the lawyer added.
Marissa sincerely thanked the human rights lawyer for their reunion.
“Thanks for everything, for helping me. Since you handled the case, I am very grateful. You ended my case, you fought, ”he said.
For 8 years while his case was being heard, the POLO-OWWA shelter and the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait became his home.
The country’s Embassy there welcomed the return of OFWs. He thanked all those who helped the Philippines.
“The Embassy is happy because Marissa has returned home after 8 years of waiting for the court’s decision in her case… To all those who helped Marissa, especially our compatriots who are translators, interpreter writers. His lawyers like Atty. Sheikha Fawzia… thank you very much, ”said Ambassador Mohd Noordin Pendosina Lomondot.
Despite Marissa’s plight, she remained steadfast because she wanted to serve as an inspiration to distressed OFWs, especially OFW women who have experienced sexual or physical abuse.
“When I return to the Philippines, I will give thanks, go to church with my family, for how many years we have not seen each other. I am excited, ”he said.