A Filipino migrant worker is now languishing in jail after she was caught allegedly in possession of illegal drugs in Iran.
John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator of Migrante Middle East chapter, said “Rosalie” (not her real name) was jailed for reportedly carrying 1.675 kilograms of heroin.
“OFW Rosalie is currently detained in Mashhad Central Prison, Mashhad, Iran,” said Monterona.
Monterona said the Philippine Embassy in Iran confirmed the information through a letter it sent to Migrante on Thursday. The family of Rosalie, he said, requested Migrante to inquire about the condition of the OFW.
He said the Iranian Foreign Ministry informed the embassy about Rosalie’s arrest last June 16.
The family said Rosalie was recruited to work as a waitress in Thailand. She was supposed to go there on March using a tourist visa. However, she changed her plans on the 3rd week of May, and informed her family that she was going to Iran instead.
On June 27, Rosalie called up her sister to tell her that she was in jail for a month now for possession of illegal drugs.
Monterona called on the embassy to immediately extend assistance to Rosalie and provide her with a local lawyer to defend her in court.
“We are hoping that under the new Aquino government, and as per policy statement during his inauguration, would seriously attend to the concerns of OFWs. This particular case of OFW Rosalie must be given full attention and provide all the needed assistance, including legal assistance, as her case is punishable by death,” Monterona said.
He added, “Further, the Aquino government must seriously confront and end the worsening problem of illegal drug trafficking in the Philippines victimizing innocent OFWs”.
Source: ABS CBN News
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