Philippines’ Vice President Teofisto Guingona has ordered an investigation into a report alleging Filipino maids are being sold like slaves in Saudi Arabia, according to a report on Saturday by ABS-CBN .
Guingona, who is also the chief of Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), issued the directive to the Philippine Embassy in Jeddah, the report said.
Guingona warned he would file a diplomatic protest before the International Court of Law if it were confirmed that Filipina domestic helpers are being subjected to slavery in the Arab state.
He cited reports that employers in Saudi Arabia acquire the services of Filipinas for the price of one thousand dollars.
DFA Undersecretary Benjamin Domingo also confirmed reports of slavery, but added those incidents are "isolated."
"Let us isolate this because we have 700,000 Filipinos in Saudi Arabia. But these incidents do happen, in fact we have reports of run-away workers," Domingo said – Albawaba.com
