MANILA— A Filipino domestic helper has not been heard from by her family in Negros Occidental since August 2011 and relatives are asking help to locate her, a support group based in the Middle East said.

Joebie Claraga Bautista, 41, from Talisay City, supposedly left for Saudi Arabia in June 2011 and is believed missing.

Information relayed to the family in August 2011 by a concerned friend of Bautista, indicated that the household helper was being maltreated by her Saudi Arabian employer and was asking to return home to the Philippines, John Leonard Monterona of the Migrante Group said.

Bautista’s deployment as a domestic worker was facilitated by the Manila-based recruitment firm, ABC Manila International Inc.

Niela, Bautista’s sister, said Joebie had contact with the family “on the first three months” since she was deployed. “Our family is so worried,” Niela said in her request for assistance sent to Monterona.

Help had been sought from the OWWA, DFA and Philippine Embassy in Saudi Arabia, but to no avail. The recruiter had assured the family that Joebie is “fine” but won’t give her contact number or that of her employer, Monterona claimed.

He said the Manila-based recruitment agency has the obligation to know the condition of their deployed worker and the family of the OFWs must be properly informed.*PNA

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