Fwd: JUSTICE FOR ELISA SALEM, OCW
Warren Corrales
Forwading a message from another news group.
---------------------
Forwarded message:
From: rmde...@juno.com (Roumel M de Leon)
To: kala...@csulb.edu, b...@ucla.edu, Wren...@aol.com, aen...@ucla.edu,
dmab...@ucla.edu, laz...@ucla.edu, r...@ucla.edu, sam...@ucla.edu,
ctar...@ucla.edu, gom...@ucla.edu
Date: 96-08-15 04:37:51 EDT
Subject: JUSTICE FOR ELISA SALEM, OCW
From: estr...@ccnet.com (Marcelo A. Estrada)
Date: Wed, 07 Aug 1996 23:09:36 -0700
Message-ID: <estradam-070...@news.ccnet.com>
Dear friends,
Here's where we can put our email engines to work for justice.
Tata Selo
+++++++++
AN URGENT APPEAL FOR JUSTICE
FOR ELISA SALEM AND OTHER SIMILARLY-SUFFERING FILIPINO OCWs
August 7, 1996
Twelve hours after Sarah Balabagan flew home to the Philippines, another
Filipina domestic helper, Elisa Salem, 26 years old, of Marikina, Metro
Manila, flew home to the country in a sealed crypt from Jordan last
August 1. Her body bore bruises, swellings and abrasions all over. Her
two letters, contained in one envelop, one to her live-in partner and
the other to her parents, described her ordeal in the hands of her woman
employer in Jordan. The next letter, supposedly also sent by her and
which claims she is faring better, is written in an entirely different
penmanship. These letters were received by her family only a few days
before they received notice from barangay officials that Elisa's body
has arrived.
In behalf of her family, we appeal to you and your organization and to
all those who are committed to defending human rights, to:
1. Send protest letters calling for an investigation of the case of Elisa
Salem. Please address this to KAKAMMPI, 17 Calderon St. Proj. 4, Quezon
City, Philippines. (Or send thru fax number 4385227 or thru e-mail
number <info...@snap.portalinc.com> We will forward them to the
authorities all
together, for greater impact.
Address them to:
Fidel V. Ramos
President, Republic of the Philippines
Malacanang Palace, Manila
Philippines
Domingo Siazon
Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs
2330 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, Metro Manila
Philippines
Wilhelm Soriano
Administrator, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)
OWWA Bldg., Gil Puyat Ave., cor. Roxas Blvd.
Metro Manila, Philippines
2. Send protest letters calling for an investigation of her case to the
Jordanian embassy in your country.
3. Project the case of Elisa and the plight of many more Filipino OCWs to
the mass media, for multiple effect of this appeal.
Attached are the fact sheet on the case and the free translations of the
mentioned two letters for your reference.
ps. we'll keep you posted. we just formed a task force--human rights and
ocw groups to assist the family of elisa in seeking justice for her
death. there will be a press conference on friday.
ellene sana for
Kakammpi (Association of Migrant Workers and Their Families)
17 F. Calderon St., Bgy. Marilag, Project 4
Quezon City, Philippines
Tel: 438 5228 Fax: 438 5227 E-mail:<info...@snap.portalinc.com>
- Subject: elisa's letter to alex, 1
Dear Alex,
First of all, forgive me for my handwriting. You will understand if
I cannotwrite. Write me instead because my situation here is very
difficult. It's like I'min prison. There is always no one to talk to.
You know, I don't like the extension of my contract but this is better
than being put in jail. This happened because I told my employer that I
have a child and husband and that I did not know that she needs someone
single. When she learned this, no day passes without her beatings making
me crawl on the cemented floor. All my body is bruised due to her
beatings. She kicks my chest with her heels. I've very few hair left. I
can't believe this will happen to me. I hope that as much as you love
Axel and me, you will be as faithful to me in spite of our being far apart.
- Subject: elisa's letter to alex, 2
If not only for Axel, I always think I'd rather I go home a cold
cadaver. I'd rather commit suicide so I need not feel the pains in my
body. Alex, I don't know what will happen. As of now, I always have
difficulty in breathing due to what she is doing to me. And she demands
that I pay for damaged things which I didn't destroy. I am not guilty of
any of her charges but she demands I repay her for one year. Let us help
each other for now. Thank you for writing me even if I don't write you.
Just keep on sending me letters since you know that my situation here is
endless work. Embrace Axel for me and kisses for you both. Promise that
you will always write me.
Until here, Papa. I am very, very tired since it is almost 2 a.m. and I
have to wake up at 5 a.m.
"May God bless you always and forever."
P.S. Please protect me by using the correct name. "Papa, If you have a
bank account number, send me so that if I (have) money, I (will) help
you."
"And send picture" of you and Axel next time you write.
Love
Mama
"I miss you very much & I love you very much. Till death do us part and
nothing gonna change my love for you even (if) we (are) very far apart
(from) each other."
P.S. Don't forget Axel's vitamins everyday and his milk and his meals,
OK.
Love Mama
And you also save Papa for our future, no matter how little and for how
long. OK, Papa? Please.
Love Mama
- Subject: elisa's letter to parents, 1
Letters of Elisa Salem to her parents and husband
Freely translated to English
Received in July, 1996
Dear Mama & Papa,
First of all, how are you all? If you will ask how I am, I'll tell
you about my life here, Mama, Papa. I'm like a prisoner. There is no
time for rest. I sleep at 2 a.m. and wake up at 4 a.m. This has been
going on for months now. Aside from this, I'm made to wear only bra and
panty. My woman employer always beat me. There is no one I can ask for
help since she is very, very strict.
She charged to me all her old and damaged things. She told me to pay
for one year for her telephone which exploded or she'll have me detained
so that I will not be able to go back home. My entire body is aching.
She hits me with the handle of the vacuum (cleaner). Sometimes, she hits
me with "bakal". She kicks me, pulls my hair, slaps me, pulls my face
across the floor ("nilalampaso"). Mama, Papa, my body is being
subjected to so much suffering I don't know if I'll last my contract.
Please help me. Only you can help me since there is no one else I can
run to for help. Sometimes, I think of committing suicide but what will
happen to you, my loved ones. But my body is suffering so much due to
her frequent beatings. When she learned that I have a child already, she
charged that I am a prostitute and she tells this to all. But I suffer
all of these. Until now, I have not received a single centavo of my
salary for my labors.
- Subject: elisa's letter to parents, 2
I am very scared that they will even include you in my predicament.
They are "big timers" even in the Philippines. This is what I get for
stating in my passport that I am single. So please be careful when you
write to me since my life is at stake here, Mama, Papa. If you address
me differently from my passport name, she can have me detained and not
one of you will ever know. She is very influential anywhere. You can be
interrogated so a little caution.
Now, I seem to have typhoid fever since I have very little hair and
I have many bruises all over my body. She made me sign to extend my
contract as a payment for everything or I will be detained for life.
Please, Mama, write me to cure my loneliness and don't forget that my
name is Elisa Salem and my life is at stake here.
I hope that you will always make me a prayer request that nothing
will happen to me. I want to go home alive for my child, Mama, and for you
all.
I suffered all of these for more than two months. I breathe with
difficulty. I felt like something snapped in my back and my chest . So
pray for me that He will always give me strength and firmness.
P.S. "I need your bank account Mama." My employer will be the one to send
to
you. Thanks. "Pray for me always. Send immediately now."
Love Elisa Salem
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