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| Nebreja's Facebook photo: Did she die of an alleged assault, or a heart attack? |
The
Philippine Consulate says it will ask Hong Kong police to investigate the death
of Filipina domestic helper Gretchen Nebreja who passed on in Tuen Mun hospital
on Apr 24, where she had been confined for three days.
A
Facebook post said Nebreja had died from an alleged assault by her employer,
but one of her province mates in Hong Kong says doctors have indicated her
cause of death as heart attack.
Nebreja,
who was said to be 34 years old from Bgy. Beberon, San Fernando, Camarines Sur,
had been in Hong Kong for only five months. Her employer is said to reside in
Aqua Blue, Siu Lam, Tuen Mun, New Territories.
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Her
Facebook account shows she was single, and had worked previously in Dammam,
Saudi Arabia.
Consul
General Raly Tejada said in response to a query on messenger, “The Consulate
has been talking to the family and the agencies both here and in Manila. We’ll
have a meeting on this and request for an investigation by the HK authorities.”
Consul
Paulo Saret, head of the Consulate’s assistance to nationals section, said the
Filipina was in hospital between Apr 21 to 24, when she died, but gave no
further details.
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The
original Facebook post said that after the alleged assault Nebreja was rushed
to hospital but died soon after.
But
a Bicolana leader in the Filipino community in Hong Kong, Bebs Leonardo, who
accompanied Nebreja’s friend to ATN, said the deceased was reportedly found by
her employers collapsed in their bathroom, with her skin already purple in
color, indicating a lack of oxygen.
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| Nebreja was rushed unconscious to Tuen Mun Hospital on Apr 21, and died 3 days later |
She
did confirm, however, that Nebreja had been having problems with her employer.
According
to Nebreja’s friend, Sky Rubio, the deceased had sent voice messages to her, complaining
of alleged verbal insults by both her employers.
As
a result, the deceased reportedly tried to break her contract thrice in the
past, but was prevailed upon by her employer to reconsider.
Nebreja
reportedly agreed because she needed the money, and also because the Luzon-wide
lockdown in the Philippines would have meant her having difficulties returning
to her province.
But
the last time she asked to leave, she reportedly got her employer’s consent,
and should have finished serving her notice yesterday, Apr 25, if she didn’t
fall ill.
Nebreja’s
cell phone has been turned over to ATN to assist them in their investigation.
Leonardo
says she and Rubio do not know who made the original Facebook post claiming
physical abuse by the employer, as it has been copied and reposted several
times.
Comments
on the Facebook posts say the family’s appeal for help has been referred to the
Departments of Labor and Employment and Foreign Affairs, which will both ask
their Hong Kong officers to ask for an inquiry.
