Domestic helper Nancy Tantiado who had been jailed for almost three months in Lebanon for what she called "trumped-up" charges filed against her, has finally returned home and reunited with her family.

Tantiado, who arrived 1:40 p.m. yesterday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, was fetched by her mother, Jocelyn, and other members of her family, as well as representatives of the Overseas Workers Welfare Office.

Nancy was complaining of body ache, especially in her eyes and ears, as a result of beatings she had suffered from Lebanese policemen, Jocelyn told the DAILY STAR. Rep. Ignacio Arroyo (5th district, Neg. Occ.) had facilitated the immediate return of Tantiado, a resident of Binalbagan, to the Philippines after her release from the Baabda Women's Prison in Beirut, Lebanon, on Jan. 3.

Tantiado was detained in Beirut September last year, on what she called trumped-up charges filed by her Lebanese employer. She was accused by her employer of stealing jewelry, which she vehemently denied.

Jocelyn said there are still 31 domestic helpers from the Philippines, who are still languishing at the Baabda Women's Prison in Beirut, who are facing similar trumped-up charges as those filed against her daughter.

Seventy more domestic helpers are staying at the OWWA office in Beirut waiting for their return to the Philippines, Jocelyn added. OWWA reports said Nancy had decided to return to the Philippines because of maltreatment she had undergone from her Lebanese employer.

Nancy has no intention to go back to Lebanon, Jocelyn said.

The Binalbagan overseas worker and her mother are expected to arrive 5:50 p.m. today at the Bacolod Airport.*GPB

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