Kin seek return of OFW detained in Dubai

By Joey A. Gabieta
Visayas Bureau
Posted date: January 17, 2008

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines -- The family of an overseas Filipino worker detained in a police station in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, has asked government to help her return home.

Alberto Peñaflor, administrative officer of the Overseas Welfare Workers Administration in Eastern Visayas, said the Dubai police have been detaining Janeth Anajas, 26, and a resident of the village of Inalindas, San Ricardo, Southern Leyte, since Saturday.

In an interview on Wednesday afternoon, Peñaflor said OWWA learned about Anajas' plight from her sister Ailyn, who informed the agency on Wednesday that Janeth was detained on the complaint of her employer identified only as Mrs. Bazian.

Anajas was detained at the Dubai police station without any formal charges filed against her by her employer, her relatives learned.

"We have already contacted our embassy there for any possible assistance that we could extend to the family of the victim. We assure her family that we will do whatever we can for her return to the country," Peñaflor said.

He added that once their office received any information from the Philippine embassy in Dubai, the family of the detained OFW would right away be contacted.

When reached on her mobile phone Thursday morning, Ailyn said she learned about the condition of her elder sister through a telephone call made by one Angel, said to be a friend of the detained OFW.

"She called us last Sunday and informed us that my sister was detained at the police station in Dubai. We don't really know the real reason why she was detained by her female employer except that Ate Angel told us that my sister had an altercation with her employer that led to her detention," 21-year-old Ailyn said.

Ailyn recalled that her elder sister left for Dubai on May 16, 2006 and was scheduled to return home in 2008 after the expiration of her two-year contract.

"We are really so worried. We don't know what to do. She is too far from us. All we want is that she be freed and returned home safe," Ailyn said.

Janeth is the third in the brood of nine children. Ailyn said that while her sister did not finish college, "she vowed to help me finish my studies."

"But with her present condition, I don't really know if I can even get enrolled," she said.

Since her elder sister left abroad, she had been remitting a big portion of her salary back home, which was used to repair their home, Ailyn said. "That is the reason why I had yet to enroll (for college)," she added.