Rudelia Palima

Prayers, pleas for Maasin OFW jailed in Iran continue

By Ronald O. Reyes

TACLOBAN CITY—Family and friends of Rudelia Palima, an OFW from Maasin city jailed in Iran for allegedly carrying prohibited drugs, continue seeking help from various  sectors in the country on the immediate resolution of the latter’s case.

Charlie Cinco, Communication and ATN officer in the Department of Foreign Affairs-Eastern Visayas said that they are also closely monitoring the progress of Palima’s case thru the communications they made to Manila and Philippine embassy in Tehran, Iran.

Palima’s case was reported to DFA-Eastern Visayas last April 15, this year.

Cinco said that Palima’s alleged drug case is the first in the region since they opened their office in 2003.

When asked about the latest update on the condition and legal assistance of Palima from the Philippine government, Rep. Roger Mercado of the lone district of Southern Leyte said that DFA undersecretary Esteban Conejos had already been informed on this.

“Sa alam ko na assist na,” Mercado said in his text message.

Earlier, Esther Bangcawayan of Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM) based in Hong Kong, a non-governmental agency assisting the various plight of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) said that they will also look into the case of Palima and give help.

Also, Marisa “Dundeet” Lerias, daughter of former So. Leyte governor Rosette Lerias expressed her concerns on the situation of Palima since violating Narcotics law in Iran has terrible consequences.

“The authorities will treat her well if they know that the government is looking out for her concerns,” she said in an email.

Friends and concerned individuals meanwhile continue spearheading prayer vigils for the safety and immediate return of Palima to the country.

Meanwhile, Thereporteronline tried to contact Mitzi Acero Mahait, the alleged employer of Palima, thru her social network address however she has not responded yet to the queries and allegations.

Mahait, who is now in abroad, happened to be a friend and schoolmate of Palima in Maasin city. She passed the teacher’s board in 2003.

“I am the luckiest maid in Singapore, with or without the money,” the 47-year-old single woman — identified only by the pseudonym “Christine” — told the Straits Times in an interview.

The maid refused to be named in public for fear of possible threats to her life in the impoverished Philippines, where wealthy people have been kidnapped for ransom and some killed by their abductors.

The windfall, including cash and a luxury apartment near the Orchard Road shopping belt, came from the estate of her employer Quek Kai Miew, a medical doctor and philanthropist who died last year at 66.

The maid had also taken care of the doctor’s late mother, and was told that she would be a beneficiary of her employer’s will when it was drawn up in 2008.

“There were no secrets between us. I was not surprised at all when she told me how much I was going to get,” the maid recalled.

“Christine” was devastated when Quek died a year ago, as the two were inseparable, and temporarily moved in with the doctor’s nephew for solace.

“It was heartbreaking for me as I saw more years with Doctor Quek than with my own mother. I would break down every time I thought about her. I could not be by myself,” she said.

“I was always beside her. Wherever she went, I was with her.”

The maid, who is now applying for permanent residency in Singapore, said her newfound wealth had not changed her lifestyle.

“I do not really think much about the money I got. I just live my life as I did before, and not as a rich person,” the maid, dressed simply in a blouse and slacks with short-cropped hair, was quoted as saying.

“I am still who I was before. I cannot behave differently because I have money now. Even my Filipino maid friends here still treat me the same.”

Nearly 200,000 foreign maids, mostly from the Philippines and Indonesia, work in affluent Singapore, which has a population of five million.

By Jani Arnaiz

Update posted on July 13, 2010

MAASIN CITY – Several Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) from all over the world have appealed to authorities to help a Pinay OFW from Maasin City in Southern Leyte, who was jailed in Shiraz, Iran allegedly for carrying prohibited substance.

Rudelia Palima, 34 years old mother of seven years old girl, was reportedly jailed upon arrival at the Shiraz International airport from Cambodia when authorities found “sizeable cocaine” inside her luggage.

According to her mother, Mila Palima, a resident of Abgao village here, Rudelia called them last March 24, 2010 informing them that she was in a jail in Shiraz, (one of the largest cities) in Iran and that she was fooled by her Filipino employer, who was a friend and a classmate way back in Maasin.

Mila narrated that according to her daughter, her employer Mitche Acero Mahait, asked her to go to Iran during Ramadan to get stocks for their jewelry store in Cambodia.

“Nay, Mitchie fooled me, I didn’t know she put drugs in my baggage,” Palima said quoting her daughter Rudelia crying.

The mother said Rudelia was first recruited as a storekeeper of a jewelry store in Kuala Lumpor in Malaysia owned by her classmate and friend Mitchie, a native of Ichon, Macrohon also in Southern Leyte, and married to a Nigerian.

They transferred to Cambodia allegedly to put another store, said the mother. She last called on June 30, telling them that Ambassador Senga has visited her and that her case will be heard first week of July.

Call for help

Ethel Cayce, a Pinay staff of World Vision in Singapore, who is a friend of Rudelia, wrote Ms. Kris Aquino-Yap on her Facebook account asking her to help the OFW.

Ethel wrote Aquino: “I don’t usually post personal messages on a public platform least in FB but the life of my friend who may face death soon (as in this Friday – 16 July 2010?) in IRAN is beyond heart-rending. Just last night… we have confirmed through an online post (thereporteronline.com.ph, pls refer to the link below) that Rudelia Palima, my friend, kababayan, and a classmate in high-school has been jailed in Iran for allegedly possessing “prohibited substance” (drugs?).

“I know no more than the details provided in the article and saw a brief moment of hope when i read that at least the news has already reached our local authorities in Southern Leyte. I believe that the authorities back home are doing the best that they can do now but as a friend of Rudelia, Id like to take this chance to appeal for your help to stand for our appeal since you are closest person to our President NoyNoy, your brother.

Ms. Kris, as an OFW I only wish one thing for my good friend Rudelia, that is to see her being reunited with her family and for her to see her child grow. I believe that being away from her family is more than enough sacrifice.

Thank you so much for sparing your time to hear this.

Another OFW who called herself mantova italy says commenting on the The Reporter online post July 11, “I am an OFW from Italy and I’m a Maasinhon, I feel so sad about this news, please help Miss Palima. I’m calling for all government officials of Maasin and Southern Leyte to act immediately before Flor contemplacion case will be repeated. Calling for all the Visayan Association abroad particularly, Samar-Leyte Association Rome Italy, Filipino Community of Milan, Filipino Community of Mantova, Filipino Religious Gruop of Modena, and all other Filipino Community in Italy and all over the world.”

Another blogger, cris of manila says: “Calling all concern on this case, lets help the Palima case b4 its too late, this is a repeat of history of another ofw, i know she is innocent and was framed up, lets pray 2geder nothing is impossible in GOD. to the family its better to come here in Manila and seek the help of the media thru GMA Kapuso, It’s a big help for this case…kalampagin nyo ang gobyerno…lihok dajon bgo pa mauwahi.

According to Southern Leyte Rep. Roger Mercado, he already asked the assistance of the Department of Foreign Affairs thru the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (Oumwa) Esteban Conejos.

“I was told by the DFA that they are already preparing funds for the investigation of the Palima case,” said Mercado.

In a follow-up on Monday, July 12, Mercado said he is still waiting for the report from OUMWA.

Last week the DFA sent message to Mercado: “This is Maurice from the office of the DFA undersecretary Esteban Conejos. I wish to inform you that recently we have approved the request of our embassy in Iran for funding in connection with their proposed jail visit to OFW Rodelia Palima. We are waiting for the official report of the Embassy with respect to the jail visit. Today we have sent a fax to post reiterating for the report on the matter. Rest assured that we will closely monitor the case and we will provide you with regular updates.”

“What I was very much worried about was the rumor of the impending death of my daughter this Friday. I heard that she would be hanged and that some residents here said that her daughter was one of those to be hanged according to a CNN report,” said Palima crying in an exclusive interview.

“I believe my daughter is innocent because she is a good girl and was SK chairman for eight years. I don’t believe she engage in illegal activities. She was only framed up,” she said.

“I am appealing to you Pres. Aquino to help my daughter. She was only made a courier by a syndicate and I believe she is innocent,” Palima asked the President.x

update posted July 13, 2010

MAASIN CITY – Several Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) from all over the world have appealed to authorities to help a Pinay OFW from Maasin City in Southern Leyte, who was jailed in Shiraz, Iran allegedly for carrying prohibited substance.

Rudelia Palima, 34 years old mother of seven years old girl, was reportedly jailed upon arrival at the Shiraz International airport from Cambodia when authorities found “sizeable cocaine” inside her luggage.

According to her mother, Mila Palima, a resident of Abgao village here, Rudelia called them last March 24, 2010 informing them that she was in a jail in Shiraz, (one of the largest cities) in Iran and that she was fooled by her Filipino employer, who was a friend and a classmate way back in Maasin.

Mila narrated that according to her daughter, her employer Mitche Acero Mahait, asked her to go to Iran during Ramadan to get stocks for their jewelry store in Cambodia.

“Nay, Mitchie fooled me, I didn’t know she put drugs in my baggage,” Palima said quoting her daughter Rudelia crying.

The mother said Rudelia was first recruited as a storekeeper of a jewelry store in Kuala Lumpor in Malaysia owned by her classmate and friend Mitchie, a native of Ichon, Macrohon also in Southern Leyte, and married to a Nigerian.

They transferred to Cambodia allegedly to put another store, said the mother. She last called on June 30, telling them that Ambassador Senga has visited her and that her case will be heard first week of July.

Call for help

Ethel Cayce, a Pinay staff of World Vision in Singapore, who is a friend of Rudelia, wrote Ms. Kris Aquino-Yap on her Facebook account asking her to help the OFW.

Ethel wrote Aquino: “I don’t usually post personal messages on a public platform least in FB but the life of my friend who may face death soon (as in this Friday – 16 July 2010?) in IRAN is beyond heart-rending. Just last night… we have confirmed through an online post (thereporteronline.com.ph, pls refer to the link below) that Rudelia Palima, my friend, kababayan, and a classmate in high-school has been jailed in Iran for allegedly possessing “prohibited substance” (drugs?).

“I know no more than the details provided in the article and saw a brief moment of hope when i read that at least the news has already reached our local authorities in Southern Leyte. I believe that the authorities back home are doing the best that they can do now but as a friend of Rudelia, Id like to take this chance to appeal for your help to stand for our appeal since you are closest person to our President NoyNoy, your brother.

Ms. Kris, as an OFW I only wish one thing for my good friend Rudelia, that is to see her being reunited with her family and for her to see her child grow. I believe that being away from her family is more than enough sacrifice.

Thank you so much for sparing your time to hear this.

Another OFW who called herself mantova italy says commenting on the The Reporter online post July 11, “I am an OFW from Italy and I’m a Maasinhon, I feel so sad about this news, please help Miss Palima. I’m calling for all government officials of Maasin and Southern Leyte to act immediately before Flor contemplacion case will be repeated. Calling for all the Visayan Association abroad particularly, Samar-Leyte Association Rome Italy, Filipino Community of Milan, Filipino Community of Mantova, Filipino Religious Gruop of Modena, and all other Filipino Community in Italy and all over the world.”

Another blogger, cris of manila says: “Calling all concern on this case, lets help the Palima case b4 its too late, this is a repeat of history of another ofw, i know she is innocent and was framed up, lets pray 2geder nothing is impossible in GOD. to the family its better to come here in Manila and seek the help of the media thru GMA Kapuso, It’s a big help for this case…kalampagin nyo ang gobyerno…lihok dajon bgo pa mauwahi.

According to Southern Leyte Rep. Roger Mercado, he already asked the assistance of the Department of Foreign Affairs thru the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (Oumwa) Esteban Conejos.

“I was told by the DFA that they are already preparing funds for the investigation of the Palima case,” said Mercado.

In a follow-up on Monday, July 12, Mercado said he is still waiting for the report from OUMWA.

Last week the DFA sent message to Mercado: “This is Maurice from the office of the DFA undersecretary Esteban Conejos. I wish to inform you that recently we have approved the request of our embassy in Iran for funding in connection with their proposed jail visit to OFW Rodelia Palima. We are waiting for the official report of the Embassy with respect to the jail visit. Today we have sent a fax to post reiterating for the report on the matter. Rest assured that we will closely monitor the case and we will provide you with regular updates.”

“What I was very much worried about was the rumor of the impending death of my daughter this Friday. I heard that she would be hanged and that some residents here said that her daughter was one of those to be hanged according to a CNN report,” said Palima crying in an exclusive interview.

“I believe my daughter is innocent because she is a good girl and was SK chairman for eight years. I don’t believe she engage in illegal activities. She was only framed up,” she said.

“I am appealing to you Pres. Aquino to help my daughter. She was only made a courier by a syndicate and I believe she is innocent,” Palima asked the President.x