Missing Filipina worker in Saudi found in morgue

MANILA, Philippines – A Filipino worker in Saudi Arabia who had been missing for a year was found in a morgue in June.

Marilyn Restor, 45, was working for one of the Saudi royal families when she was abducted in 2014. Restor’s husband Arnulfo, who also works in Saudi Arabia, only found out about her death when he called the Philippine embassy in Saudi Arabia. 

Militant organization Migrante International said that Restor was working for a Saudi princess and a high ranking Saudi military official.

Restor, a domestic helper, was taking out the garbage when she was reportedly abducted. But the princess thought she had “absconded” and blamed the other Filipinos in their staff for helping her “escape.” 

Arnulfo allegedly went to the employers’ home to get Restor, but was reportedly shot at by the husband when he arrived. He said the Riyadh police did not do anything when he reported his wife missing.

Migrante slammed the Philippine government for its alleged “inaction” on the Restor case. 

Migrante International’s Sol Pillas alleged that  “there was clearly no active intervention or urgent action from the PH Embassies to rescue them despite their dangerous circumstances.”

“In Marilyn’s case, PH embassy neglect is apparent. This is blood on their hands. The mere fact that nine others had existing complaints against Princess Jada and her husband should have been a ‘red flag’, an alert for the PH Embassy to act with haste before it is too late. Unfortunately and sadly, for Marilyn, it was,” Pillas added.

The Philippine Department of Affairs (DFA) Secretary Charles Jose disputed the claim. He told GMA News that the DFA spoke with Restor’s family in June and is assisting the family in bringing back her remains. 

The couple is from General Santos City. Their two children live with Restor’s sister. – Rappler.com