UAE | General
Alarming increase in Filipino suicide cases in UAE
Advocacy group asks Philippine authorities to investigate why it is happening.
- By Nina MuslimStaff Reporter
- Published: 23:01 August 14, 2008
Dubai: Seven Filipinos have committed suicide in the UAE over the past few months, according to a Filipino workers advocacy group, although Philippine authorities here say the figure is three.
A press statement from the UAE chapter of Migrante said three suicide cases occurred in Dubai and the northern emirates, while the others were from Abu Dhabi.
The earliest recorded case was of a man who hanged himself on February 4, while the latest was a woman who jumped from a building on August 10.
Nhel Morona, secretary-general of Migrante-UAE, told Gulf News the number of cases have increased by two this August, from five recorded last year in the same time period. The suicide figure last year did not include Abu Dhabi.
"It's not normal that seven Filipinos should commit suicide in eight months. We want [the Philippine authorities in the UAE] to find out why they are committing suicide," he said.
Philippine authorities in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, however, said they could only confirm three suicide cases. All confirmed cases were in Dubai and the northern emirates.
Noel Servigon, Philippine consul-general in Abu Dhabi, told Gulf News three cases were still under investigation by the police.
"We don't know whether they were accidents, suicides or foul play," he said.
He said the embassy has asked the police to re-investigate one case, that of Mittos Vergara who died in July, after the embassy had received a request from Vergara's family.
He also said the fourth case listed in the press statement had been wrongly classified as a suicide, as the death was likely accidental.
Benito Valeriano, Philippine consul-general in Dubai, said they were naturally concerned when citizens committed suicide, but added there was not much authorities could do to prevent it.
"Suicide can happen to anybody, regardless of religion and culture. It's a person's own decision," he said.
"The Philippine Labour Office does counsel people but many don't go there for help, they just suffer in silence," he added.
Share this article
Popular in UAE
-
Your pictures
Readers' pictures
The best reader pictures from around the UAE this week
Latest news
- Book: Demographic transition behind 'high unemployment'
- Thieves caught with Dh6 million in gold bars
- ADWEA tenders for new power, desalination plants
- Mohammad approves federal demographic body
- Criminal wanted in 360 cases arrested in Dubai
- UAE visitor admits to possessing fake notes
- Men get bail in Dubai due to lack of translator
- Security trial in UAE adjourned until December
- Colombia seeks stronger ties with UAE
- Conference on combatting crime through sports begins
- Passer-by foils Dh2.5m robbery bid in Dubai
- Brothers deny vandalising plaintiff's car
- Extended break for Eid and National Day
- Free SMS offer for paid parking in Dubai
- UAE official urges corporate support for diabetes control initiatives
Community Reports
-
Pavement parking irks pedestrians
Gulf News reader calls on authorities to step in and stop car owners from invading pathways meant for safe walking
-
Faded parking lines pose a problem
Motorists could be fined for parking incorrectly even though they can hardly see the boundaries in the designated areas
-
School buses block residential parking
Commercial vehicles taking up free parking facilities in Al Wuheida, inconveniencing residents in surrounding villas
-
Community report: Doing their bit for poor children
A group of students takes concrete action to raise funds for Dubai Cares
