CBCP lauds conviction of Singaporean couple for starving Filipina helper

MANILA—Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People (CBCP-ECMI) lauded the state court of Singapore’s verdict convicting the employers of a female overseas Filipino worker (OFW) for starving her.

“That is very inhuman act any man can take inflict to his fellow human bring. Brutal and heartless deeds. Justice must be served. It is just right that Singaporean couple not only be jailed but also pay necessary damages: moral, physical and psychological,” said CBCP-ECMI chairman Bataan Bishop Ruperto Santos.

With this, Santos said he prays that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) especially household service workers (HSWs) will be hired by compassionate employers.

“We pray always for their safety and change of hearts and compassion of their employers,” Santos said.

The Catholic prelate added, “We see sufferings of our OFWs. They undergo severe hardships and agonizing deprivations.”

Santos noted that the Church and the government have the responsibility to protect and guide them.

“And both Church and government has moral and legal obligations to them. We must always help and assist them in any possible way,” he said.

On Monday, A Singaporean court has ordered Lim Choon Hong, 48, to be jailed for three weeks and fined 10,000 Singapore dollars (PHP359,500), while his wife Chong Sui Foon, 48, was sentenced to three months in jail.

The couple was convicted last year of violating employment laws for failing to provide enough food for Thelma Oyasan Gawidan, for more than 15 months.