Abused OFWs repatriated from Dubai

MANILA, Philippines - Three distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were repatriated Monday from Dubai through the efforts of a non-government group.

The Villar Foundation, led by managing director and former Las Piñas congresswoman Cynthia Villar, welcomed Romely Daguplo, Joanalin Pascua, and Jacquelyn Costuna as they arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

The foundation repatriated the OFWs in coordination with the office of Sen. Manny Villar as well as the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Labor and Employment and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and the Blas Ople Center and Migrante.

Daguplo, 31, left her home province of Bukidnon to work as a domestic helper in Dubai in March last year. She did not know she was pregnant when she left the country. Since the punishment for pregnant unmarried women is harsh in an Arab country, Daguplo ran away from her employer and asked her mother for help.

Pascua, on the other hand, said she sought refuge at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Dubai because her employer underpaid, overworked and sexually harassed her.

Costuna, 24, left for Dubai in October 2011 but ran away from her employer whom she said maltreated and verbally abused her. She stayed with the POLO in Dubai until her repatriation.