Viral: Sick Aussie man neglected by Filipina wife seeks help

MANILA, Philippines – A viral story of an Australian man supposedly neglected by his Filipina with whom he has four kids has attracted the attention of many netizens after it was shared by one concerned woman named Rose Eden Batistello on Facebook.

According to Batistello, she is helping the poor man herself by launching a donation drive on gofundme in an effort to raise money for the sick man who is right now confined at a hospital in Bacolod after suffering from heart attack.

Reading from the Batistello’s account of the man’s story, it seems that being sick is just one of the many problems of Australian Ronald Hartigan. Here is his story as narrated by Ms. Batistello:

Ronald Hartigan came to the Philippines back in 1999 to marry his Filipina wife. Just as they were about to leave for Australia, she had a change of heart and told him she’s not leaving. Out of love for her wife, he, too, decided to stay.

Eight months into their marriage, Mr. Hartigan found out his wife is into gambling and drinks a lot. He suspected she may have been into drugs, too. But the husband, devoted as he is according to the story, tried to make the marriage work for a next few years.

He bought a block of land and two units of motorcycle for his wife, but all properties were supposedly squandered without him knowing.

“He said, his wife only wants money, money all the time and that’s the only time his wife [would] be nice to him, when she wants money,” the story went on.

Mr. Ronald Hartigan living in what Ms. Batistello described as
“chicken house” (photo grabbed from Facebook of Ms. Batistello)

Their marriage bore four children, the eldest being 15 years old, but none of the kids were able to attend school properly. The oldest boy only finished Grade 2.

Apparently, the wife spent the money intended for their education for something else, just like what allegedly happened last school opening.

He gave his wife P10,000 for the kids’ enrolment, but she instead bought herself two computer tablets.

Mr. Hartigan with his 4 children (Photo grabbed from Facebook of Ms. Batistello)

Now, Mr. Hartigan is already 76 years old; frail and also asthmatic and is desperate for help. He wants to go back to Australia and wants to bring his four children with him.

According to Ms. Batistello, he doesn’t want to leave his kids to their mother. Nor does he want to leave and just send money to support them since, knowing his wife, he knows how the things will turn out.

Batistello, who described herself as an Australian citizen, too, said she wants to help the family, especially the poor kids neglected by their Filipina mother.

The donation drive she launched on gofundme is intended to raise money for the necessary travel documents of Mr. Hartigan and the kids.

                         MR. Hartigan with Ms. Batistello at the hospital (photo grabbed from Facebook of Ms. Batistello)

She also posted photos of a sick Mr. Hartigan lying on a hospital bed at Riverside Medical Hospital. Her Facebook timeline (click here) is filled with posts about the Australian man and updates on his health condition. (Also click here to read her full account of Mr. Hartigan’s story on the website vamshare) 

While many people have admired Batistello for her concern and effort, still some doubted her intention and accused her of scamming.

To refute the allegation, she posted a video of her interview with Mr. Hartigan on You Tube. Click the Youtube link below and find out the real story.

YOUTUBE LINK: > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tbxu8nXJ2I <<