Alleged Demafelis recruiter surfaces to clear name
MANILA — The alleged recruiter of slain overseas Filipino worker Joanna Demafelis surrendered yesterday before the authorities to clear her name.
Agnes Tuballes, tagged by Demafelis’ family as the slain OFW's recruiter, surrendered before the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group. She is also a distant relative of Demafelis.
Tuballes faced the media and denied that she recruited Demafelis, whose remains were found in a freezer in Kuwait early this year. She clarified that the slain Filipino only sought her for her help.
"Hindi ko siya nirecruit. That day September 26, 2013, umalis po ako papuntang Hong Kong bilang katulong. Nagtatrabaho po ako doon bilang katulong... December or January nag-message ang kapatid ko na nag-chat sila ni Joanna na gustong magpatulong mag-apply papuntang abroad," Tuballes said.
"Ni-recommend ko siya, ni-refer ko siya doon sa Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. That time noong doon, sabi ko doon ka mag-apply kasi doon free passport, no placement fee, at no salary deduction .... Kaya nakapagabroad siya nang free at legal,” she added.
Tuballes explained that she used to work at the recruitment firm Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Global E-Human Resources Inc. so she can vouch that it is engaged in legal recruitment.
She is also a former OFW in Qatar. She became a recruitment officer of the Al Madinah Manpower in Manila in 2017.
The Department of Justice earlier ordered a probe into the recruitment agency of Demafelis for their possible liabilities after failing to monitor her condition.
During the press conference, Tuballes became emotional as she decried being tagged as the recruiter of Demafelis. She said her children are being bullied as some posted her photos online.