An Overseas Filipino Worker who was jailed in Jordan for alleged theft said Saturday her employer treated her and two other OFWS like animals and that this made them decide to run away.

Stephanie Prado, 27, of Brgy, Guimpana-an, Moises Padilla town, Negros Occidental, was welcomed at the Bacolod airport Saturday, by her father, Eduardo, and younger sister, Emily, and Isabela Vice-Mayor Melvin Ibanez, who represented Rep. Ignacio Arroyo (Neg. Occ., 5th District). Prado, a domestic helper, said she is very happy to finally meet her family and relatives after she was jailed for six months on trumped-up charges.

She said she and her two other companions were accused of stealing 50 Jordanian Dinar from the son their employer identified as Madame Louly Muasher.

For lack of evidence, Prado said she was released from jail Wednesday and was able to return home with the help of Arroyo.

Prado, whose dream is to help her family, arrived in Jordan on Feb 6, 2006, through an international agency with an office in Bacolod City. However, she said she and 10 other OFWs were surprised when they learned that they were illegal aliens. The employers who fetched them at the Philippine embassy in Jordan were not the persons on their contracts, she added.

After a few weeks, she said she was able to work as a helper to the Muasher family where she was treated like an animal. She said her employer often shouted and berated her when she failed to follow instructions. She said her salary was given on installment basis.

Prado said she and her companion, "Marites" of Laguna, ran away and sought refuge at the Philippine embassy, but the police arrested them for theft.

On Aug. 1, 2006, Prado said she was detained while their court hearings were going on. Aside from her, Prado said there were 60 Filipino women detained in jail for theft and overstaying charges.

Prado said she waited until the court hearings of her case were finished and she was very happy to learn that no evidence was found against her.

Prado, who also worked for four years in Dubai, said she is still planning to go to Hong Kong, but will not return to the Middle East. Prado is the eldest daughter of Eduardo and Gina Prado. She finished her elementary and secondary studies at the Guinpanaan Elementary School and San Isidro Academy, respectively.*DMG

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