The family of a 30-year-old overseas Filipino contract worker in Lebanon is asking for the government’s help in finding justice for the alleged murder of their kin.
 
Bimar Timog, the husband of Mary Ann, does not believe that his wife leapt or fell down from the 11th floor of the building where her Lebanese employer resides. He claims Mary Ann was maltreated.
 
“Kahit sino, hindi maniniwala sa ganoon dahil nag-sakripisyo siya nagpunta doon pagkatapos magpapakamatay lang? Hinala ko po doon talagang sinaktan nila asawa ko kasi sabi ng aunt ko na nandoon parang pinatay nila bago nilaglag,” Timog said.
 
The OFW from Alicia, Isabela was a plain housewife before she left for work overseas. Despite her husband’s disapproval, Mary Ann flew to Lebanon with the help of an alleged illegal recruiter on November 19 last year to save money for the lot where their house stands. The recruiter was identified as a certain Nanding Apolinario from Barangay Annafunan, Echague.

The family first received text messages of how happy Mary Ann was on her 18-hour travel to Lebanon.

However, on December 21, the family received alarming text messages from Mary Ann, and in the afternoon of January 2, 2009, they also received a phone call from her employer informing them of her death.
 
Timog misses his wife so much and is at a loss on how to start over again without her.

“Hindi ko alam kung saan ako maguumpisa kasi ngayon lang kami nagkahiwalay ng ganito. Hindi ako sanay na wala yun tapos mababalitaan ko ng ganoon. Wala ng mas masakit pa, heto na ang pinakamasakit na pagsubok na ibinigay sa akin,” he said.
 
Their three children are also grieving and asked for President Arroyo's assistance.

“Pangulong Arroyo, tulungan niyo po kami sa pagkatamay ng mama ko,” said Mary Ann’s youngest daughter Irish.
 
Mary Ann’s remains will arrive in the Philippines on January 13 and her family only hopes that justice will be served to them. Report from Harris Julio, ABS-CBN Regional Network News, Cagayan Valley