'Whipped' and 'Raped' Filipina Maids in Middle East Post Pleas on Facebook for Rescue from 'Abusive' Employers

Jul 13, 2015 01:59 AM EDT

Filipinos have been known as heavy users of the social media.

On two separate occasions, two Filipinas working in the Middle East under alleged abusive employers have used the social media to seek attention from authorities and rescue them from their abused condition.

Last month, Doll Sagun Dimalaluan took to social media to post her pleas for help from her abusive employers. Dimalaluan posted on her Facebook page the alleged bruises on her body resulting from the whipping she received from her Al Jahrā', Kuwait, said Manila Channel.

"Please help, my employer whipped me with a belt. Philippine Embassy please help me. My address is Block 2 St., 19 house, 99 blue 1," Dimalaluan posted with pictures of her bruises.

The post quickly became viral and the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait were able to rescue her from her employer.

The case of Dimalaluan followed the cry for help by another Filipina worker in the Middle East in April this year.

Abby Luna, posted a video on her Facebook page appealing to the Philippine Embassy in Bahrain to rescue her from her employer whose son reportedly raped and beat her. Luna's post has since became viral and generated more than 480,000 views.

The three-minute video also prompted a quick response from the Philippine Embassy there and rescued Luna from her employer, said the South China Morning Post.

"The rescue was prompted by the video message... She is now under the care of our embassy," foreign ministry spokesman Charles Jose said. The DFA said that officials from the Philippine embassy and staff from Luna's employment agency picked up the domestic helper from her employer's house.

However, Ricky Aragon, the vice consult at the Philippine Embassy in Bahrain said that Luna's alleged assailant denied the accusations.

Luna described the son of her employer as a drug addict and pointed to him as the one who raped her. A sobbing Luna accused her employer's son of threatening to kill her if she tells anyone about the attack.

Luna also posted a written appeal for anyone who have seen her video to contact the Philippine embassy on her behalf.

She wrote, "Help me get out of here. I'm scared. Until now, my genitals hurt. My leg is bruised. He (attacker) punched my leg to immobilize me. After my employer's son abused me, he threatened to kill me and bury me in the desert if I tell anyone about what happened."