OFW mula Iloilo, humingi ng tulong matapos umano’y ikulong ng amo sa Saudi Arabia

Published 28 Aug 2026 at 4:29 PM

by Rose Dabu

4 min read

Leonor Falcis, a 27-year-old domestic helper from Iloilo City, allegedly suffered harsh treatment shortly after arriving in Saudi Arabia
Her husband said she was made to clean for 22 hours on her first day and work for another 19 hours the following day
After asking for a 30-minute break, the worker was allegedly locked in a room and denied food for three days
Officials from OWWA Region 6 are now processing her return to the Philippines while her agency coordinates with authorities

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Leonor Falcis is seeking to return to the Philippines after allegedly experiencing harsh treatment from her employer in Saudi Arabia.

OFW mula Iloilo — Photo: AI-Generated for illustrative purposes only
Source: UGC

According to a report by Aileen Pedroso for GMA News, which was shared by Unang Balita, the 27-year-old Iloilo City resident arrived in the country on August 11, 2026. She went there to work as a domestic helper.

Her husband, Lawrence, said Leonor was allegedly told to clean the house for 22 hours on her first day at work. She was then made to work for 19 hours the next day.

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The worker reportedly had very little time to rest. She could only pause to use the restroom or drink water, based on her husband’s account.

On her third day, Leonor asked her employer for at least 30 minutes of rest. However, the request reportedly angered her employer.

She was then allegedly locked inside a room for three days and was not given food. Despite her situation, Leonor managed to send a voice message to Lawrence and tell him what was happening.

The OFW eventually asked to be returned to her recruitment agency. Her employer allegedly placed her in a vehicle that was supposed to take her to Jeddah.

Leonor then realized that the driver was Filipino. She asked him to bring her to her agency instead, allowing her to seek help.

Lawrence said the experience left his wife deeply affected. He also shared that she no longer wanted to be assigned to another employer.

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“Na-trauma na yung misis ko. Tumawag siya sa akin na hindi na siya mag-take sa ibang employer, na gusto niyang bumalik sa Pilipinas,” he said.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration in Region 6 has already been informed about Leonor’s situation. The agency is now working on the process needed to bring her home.

OWWA Region 6 Director James Mendiola explained that Leonor’s work visa and contract with her employer must first be canceled. Once these requirements are completed, she can be issued an exit visa and return to the Philippines.

Mendiola said the cancellations are required before officials can secure the exit visa for her departure.

No representative from Leonor’s recruitment agency agreed to an interview for the report. However, an employee told GMA Regional TV that their central office was already coordinating with the proper authorities about the case.

The report did not provide further details about when Leonor may be able to fly home.

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In another report, A school in Barangay Sauyo, Quezon City was robbed of more than P313,000 worth of equipment and cash after two men allegedly entered the compound past midnight on Saturday. According to James Agustin’s report on GMA’s Unang Balita on August 26, CCTV footage showed one man climbing over a railing inside the school. He was later seen inside the administrative office, where he appeared to search through the area. His alleged accomplice was also captured by a security camera.