Rep. Ignacio Arroyo (5th district, Neg. Occ.) yesterday said he will look into the plight of 31 other Filipinas reportedly detained in Beirut, Lebanon.

Negrense domestic helper Nancy Tantiado, whose return to the Philippines was facilitated by Arroyo, arrived in Bacolod City yesterday and said 31 other Filipinas are still languishing in jail in Beirut.

While some of them may be guilty of the cases filed against them, we can try helping them as long as there is a request, Arroyo said.

Tantiado expressed her appreciation to Arroyo and other people who helped facilitate her return to the Philippines.

"I am very happy to be home," Tantiado, who was met at the Bacolod Airport, by Arroyo, former Board Member Enrique Montilla and Blanquita Cantiller, former Binalbagan vice-mayor, and other members of her family, said.

Tantiado, who is from Binalbagan, had been jailed at the Baabda Women's Prison for almost three months on what she called "trumped-up" charges filed against her by her Lebanese employer for stealing jewelry, which she denied.

She said there are also 70 other Filipinas who are staying at the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration office in Beirut, who also want to come home as soon as possible.

Arroyo said there was no amicable settlement between Nancy and her employer. "The case against her was dismissed by a court in Beirut," he said. "Let us be happy that she is finally home," Arroyo added.*GPB

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