KABALIKAT, an organizing project of the Philippine Forum, convened
over 75 domestic workers and concerned community members for a forum
last Sunday, April 1, demanding a full investigation behind the
mysterious death of Felisa "Fely" Garcia, 58, a Filipina domestic
caregiver found dead by an alleged suicide in her bedroom last March
14 in the Bronx. The forum gathered community support and featured
live phone-in's with Garcia's US-based lawyer, Atty. Arnedo Valera of
the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON), and daughter
Geraldine Gamboa in Batangas, Philippines.
In a tearful plea for help, Gamboa thanked the Philippine
Forum/KABALIKAT for their direct support, including securing a
pro-bono attorney and raising initial support funds, and conveyed the
Garcia children's burning questions over the mysterious reasons behind
their mother's alleged suicide.
"Our mother was in good spirits days before her death. We had no
reason to question her emotional health or detect that she was
distressed. That is why we are suspicious of the circumstances
surrounding her death. The circumstances suggest foul play," stated an
emotional Gamboa over the phone conference.
According to Valera, Garcia's four children in the Philippines have
maintained that besides a thorough autopsy of their mother's body for
alleged physical and/or sexual abuse, a full investigation of all
parties involved is necessary. Garcia had left a letter for her
landlord stating her "abuse and harassment" at the hands of her
employer.
Autopsy reports are scheduled to be released in two weeks by the Bronx
Medical Examiner's office.
Shortly after receiving an official authorization by the Garcia's
family to act on their behalf, both Valera and Philippine
Forum/KABALIKAT have been been pushing for the family's wishes, while
pressuring for accountability from the Philippine Consulate to
shoulder the necessary expenses for Garcia's medical procedures,
transportation costs back to the Philippines, and other expenditures.
In addition, Philippine Forum/KABALIKAT has agreed to launch the
"Justice for Fely" campaign, which aims to support the Garcia family
demands while raising a minimum of $7000 for funeral costs.
As part of the campaign, a townhall meeting will be convened on
Sunday, April 15th, 2pm at the Philippine Forum's Bonifacio Hall at
54-05 Seabury Street in Elmhurst, Queens (V/G/R to Grand Avenue
Newtown). Representatives from the Philippine Consulate are
specifically requested to appear in order to answer pressing questions
regarding Garcia's case.
"It is unconscionable that the Consulate has not communicated with the
Fely's family. They cannot be left off the hook so easily," stated
Rico Foz, Executive Vice President of NAFCON, who also spoke at the
forum.
Foz heavily criticized the Department of Foreign Affairs' (DFA)
failure to contact Garcia's next of kin until March 29th, nearly two
weeks after Garcia's death.
"If not for the constant pressure coming from Philippine
Forum/KABALIKAT and Migrante International from the ground, we doubt
that the Philippine government would be moved to address this case,"
Foz added.
Foz also criticized the DFA's handling of the Garcia's family, which
did not include a discussion of the case details but rather included
pressuring for the signing of consent forms for the Consulate to have
the body shipped to the Philippines, with the family's exemption from
paying the necessary fees as an incentive.
"The DFA's support to should be unconditional, regardless of consent
forms. It should not offer to pay for the fees as a negotiation to
keep the details of the case under wraps. It is solely their
responsibility to make sure this Philippine national is transported
back to her family back home, even as the family pushes for an
investigation. We are seriously concerned over this type of
politicking with Garcia's family," Foz added.
"Now with the family's authorization, Philippine Forum/KABALIKAT aims
to look after Fely's and her family's interests first and foremost,
rather than the Philippine government's push to close the case," Foz
ended.
NAFCON is a nationwide alliance of Filipino organizations spread over
23 cities. The Philippine Forum, a community service organization in
Queens is a founding member of NAFCON.
The forum also garnered statements of support from allied
organizations including Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment (FIRE),
Anakbayan, and others.
To make a donation to the Justice for Fely Campaign, make checks to
Philippine Forum, write Justice for Fely on the memo, and mail to
Philippine Forum at 54-05 Seabury Street, Elmhurst, New York 11373.
For more information on the Justice for Fely Campaign, contact the
Philippine Forum/KABALIKAT at 718-565-8862 or email
philforum96@yahoo.com. ###
Photos courtesy of Joy Agustin and Philippine Forum
