Filipina charged with robbery and murder of fellow domestic worker

AMMAN — A 49-year-old Philippine domestic helper on Monday was charged with the robbery and murder of her fellow national following a heated argument over financial matters in Amman last week, official sources said. 

The 69-year-old victim, who had been residing in Jordan for over 20 years and worked as a tailor, was found dead at her apartment with bruises on her body and signs of struggle, a senior judicial source told The Jordan Times.

The domestic helper became the prime suspect after reportedly volunteering information to the police claiming that she had seen the victim’s Jordanian husband murder her friend, the judicial source told The Jordan Times.

“The suspect went to the embassy of the Philippines in Amman and informed them that she was a witness to the woman’s murder,” the source said.

But, when police were notified and “started questioning the supposed witness to learn more about the incident, they noticed several loopholes in her story and she became the prime suspect”, according to the official.

The suspect reportedly confessed to murdering the victim because she refused to lend her money, according to the judicial source, who is close to the investigations.

“The victim used to always lend people money in return for a small interest and when the suspect went to ask for money, she refused to give her any and an argument ensued that ended in the woman’s death,” the source explained, adding that the suspect then allegedly searched the house and “stole two rings and a bracelet that belonged to the victim and left".

The victim’s Jordanian husband Mohammad Mahmoud described his wife as a "caring and loving woman".

“I have been married to her for over four years and she would often lend people, mostly Filipinos, money in return for a small interest, and many would not pay her back. I believe the suspect was one of those people and that is why this incident happened,” Mahmoud told The Jordan Times. He said that he has been in constant contact with the embassy and her family in the Philippines to decide on where to bury her.

“She was really a loving wife who cared and helped everyone she cared for.  It was a real painful incident and I will surely miss her,” Mahmoud said.

The suspect remains detained at Juweideh Women’s Correctional and Rehabilitation Centre pending further investigations.