The mother who left her baby in a trash bin of Gulf Air during her flight to Manila needs compassion instead of contempt, a migrant rights group said Friday. The baby boy, who was christened George Francis Dimaano, was found by flight attendants when the Gulf Air plane landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Sunday last week. In a statement, Migrante-Middle East said the mother who worked in Qatar must have a big problem and was confused to prompt her to leave the baby in the trash bin at the plane's lavatory. “The OFW mother who left her newborn child in the plane must not be condemned,” said Migrante regional John Leonard Monterona. “She needs assistance being in a deplorable situation like many OFW mothers working abroad.” Monterona said the group believes that the Filipina was burdened with problems and was not ready to face the consequences of her pregnancy, forcing her to dump her baby. He said the woman could have been “very disturbed,” a situation further complicated by the unexpected plight of having to give birth during her flight. The infant was found dumped in a trash bin of Gulf Air flight GF154, which arrived at the NAIA before Sunday noon. The baby was discovered after flight attendants noticed a trail of blood from a seat leading to the lavatory. The National Bureau of Investigation earlier said the woman, whom it brought to Manila Wednesday from Apayao, had admitted to being the mother of baby George Francis, named by airport personnel after the plane's flight code. The Department of Social Welfare and Development, which has taken custody of the mother, said Friday that the woman could have been a victim of abuse. Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla was quoted by the Associated Press as saying the woman, who worked as a maid, told her that she had been raped by here employer and then forced to return to the Philippines. Revilla added the woman told her that she feared of what her family would say. In a privilege speech in Congress Thursday, Revilla sought “compassion and mercy” for the woman instead of being penalized for a crime. Monterona said there are other Filipina workers in the Middle East who face the same situation and need assistance.
