Maltreated OFW in Kuwait faints in airport while seeking aid; robbed by fellow OFWs

An Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW), who was allegedly maltreated and was not given proper compensation by her boss in Kuwait, was also duped by compatriots on her way home. Maribel Cantillo, an OFW from Aurora Province, while speaking with fellow OFWs at a stop over in Dubai fainted due to hunger and fatigue. GMA News' Maki Pulido reported on "State of the Nation" on Wednesday that Cantillo was not given food to eat by her employers two days before being taken to the airport. “Hindi naman po ako makakuha ng pagkain kasi bakit daw ako kakain? Eh hindi naman daw ako nagtatrabaho,” Cantillo said. (I can't get food because why should I eat? I'm not even working, her employers said.) In her two years as a domestic helper, Maribel said that she was not able to take even a day off from work. As Maribel endured the maltreatment of her employers, she also did not receive her full salary for two months, which was supposedly 260 Kuwait Dinars or more than P43,000. She only received 50 Dinars or just about P8,000. “Marami po akong ano sa kanya. Mayroon ‘yung itinulak niya ako sa hagdan buti po nasalo ako. Mayroon ‘yung sabuyan ka ng tubig. Marami po akong ano doon pero hindi po ako nagsalita. Tiniis ko lang po,” Cantillo said. (I received a lot of maltreatment. They pushed me down the stairs, luckily I was caught. I experienced a lot of things there but I did not say anything. I just endured it.) However, as she made her way home to the Philippines she fell victim to compatriots while in quarantine. When she arrived at the quarantine hotel in Manila, her fellow OFWs allegedly stole the financial aid she received from her fellow Filipinos in the airport. The incident was reported to the police. Maribel remains grateful for the help given to her by fellow OFWs and that made it home safely. Meanwhile, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Hans Cacdac said the agency will help the OFW. -- Richa Noriega/BAP, GMA News

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