Visa status? Overstay?

I have a close friend who is a Philippine citizen currently working in China, she has been there four and a half months past her entry permit expiration.

She's aware of her status, (illegal), her employer is aware of this also, she wants to leave but she does not know if she can leave without having a valid entry permit. She did ask her employers what to do prior to the expiration, however they did not assist her, to the employers it was not a concern but she is afraid, she simply wants to know if can she go to the airport buy a ticket and leave with only her passport and not a valid entry permit.

Her employers are not aware of her desire to return home. She doesn't have enough money to pay a penalty fee.