More compatriots defend Villafuerte

Two more Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the Saudi capital have joined other workers to say that former Assistant Labor Attache Antonio Villafuerte had helped them during his stint in the Saudi capital.
Villafuerte was accused last month by three women of sexual harassment in which he allegedly sought sexual favors in exchange for flights home.
“That’s why I was surprised by the accusation of three former distressed OFWs. With the help he extended me, I never thought he could harm people he was supposed to serve,” said Son (not his real name) who is in the process of correcting his status.
Son ran away from his former sponsor and he’s currently working as driver in a restaurant whose owner had promised to transfer him under his sponsorship.
Villafuerte had earlier been recalled to Manila after three former distressed OFWs alleged he sought sexual favors for flights out. They were identified only as “Michelle,” “Analisa,” and “Angel.”
“When I had to call my former sponsor regarding my case, Assistant Labor Attache Villafuerte asked me to use his own cell phone instead of mine. He also gave me money for limousine fare,” Son said.
He added that aside from Villafuerte’s assistance, Filipino women who had also run away from their employers were provided not only with food but also other personal needs.
A former OFW who also ran away from his sponsor because of alleged maltreatment had earlier told Arab News that Villafuerte had helped him without demanding anything in return. “Aside from limousine fare, he also offered lunch, which I used to turn down,” he said. “He was doing what was expected of him. That was enough for me.”
This OFW was also working as driver in the same restaurant where Son is currently working.
Earlier, another OFW defended Villafuerte. James Limbaro said Villafuerte was the only official of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) who was able to help him after he ran away from his employer.
Limbaro ran away from his employer after being accused of stealing. He sought help from POLO in March 2012.
ABS-CBN Middle East News Bureau correspondent Roland Blanco has also reported that other distressed OFWs were now coming to the defense of Villafuerte.
In Manila, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Dimapiliz-Baldos said that Villafuerte has no prior record of abusing OFWs abroad, adding that Villafuerte had been assigned in Riyadh very recently but he was once assigned for two years in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, and that he did not pose any problems there.
She also said that Villafuerte passed their screening tests.
“His record of service here is 28 years. He started as administrative staff handling supplies. Then he moved up in the Bureau of Labor Relations and then conciliator of the National and Mediation Board (NCMB) and then on detail for two years in Kaohsiung and in Riyadh,” Baldoz said.