Breaking News: 15 stranded OFWs in KSA will be home May 18

Press Release

17 May 2013

15 stranded OFWs in KSA will be home May 18

‘Initial victory of the stranded OFWs collective mass action’

Thus, said today by Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) upon receiving confirmation on the repatriation of the fifteen (15) stranded overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The 15, all male, are among the around 200 stranded OFWs who have encamped inside the PH embassy compound in Riyadh since May 4.

Some of the 200 stranded OFWs at PH embassy premises in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia while awaiting embassy and labor officials for a dialog but they were not attended. MIGRANTE File photo dated May 4, 2013

“We received a confirmed report from our Migrante colleagues in Riyadh that the 15 stranded OFWs is schedule to leave Saudi Arabia onboard flight Gulf Air GF-0168 via Bahrain International airport at 6:00 p.m. Friday, May 17,” said MIGRANTE vice chairperson John Leonard Monterona, also the regional coordinator of Migrante International in the Middle East.

If there are no hassles on their repatriation documents, the 15 stranded OFWs expected arrival onboard GF-0154 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) the following day, Saturday, May 18, at around 10:55 a.m., according to Monterona citing the flight schedules their group got from embassy official who requested anonymity.

“This is an initial victory of the stranded OFWs for taking up decisive collective action such as staging an encampment inside the PH embassy compound to press the PH govt. through embassy and labor officials in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, though they have been requesting assistance for their repatriation since last year,” Monterona claimed.

“Again and again, we have proven that decisive collective mass action by the OFWs themselves is the best antidote to government inaction and dilly-dallying in providing assistance to distressed, stranded, and abused OFWs,” Monterona adding that, ideally, it should not always be the case if only Embassy and labor officials abroad are doing their duty par excellence meeting the demands of their jobs as public servant.

Monterona said he is expecting that more stranded OFWs in Riyadh and Jeddah will be sent home in the coming days.

“About 30 stranded OFWs have been sent to Saudi deportation centers in Jeddah, and we hope they will soon be repatriated after verification of their immigration status,” Monterona added.

Monterona further said Migrante chapters in Saudi Arabia will continue to provide assistance to women stranded OFWs with kids and those who are old and sick.

His group will continue soliciting donations such as food, water, medicines, and sanitations for those who are still at ‘Tent City’ in Jeddah and those who are still inside the PH embassy compound in Riyadh.

“We would like to express our appreciation to the Filipino communities and OFW groups and individuals who never cease to send their donations and as well as their moral support to the stranded OFWs. Our ‘free, swift, mass repatriation’ campaign will continue until the last batch of stranded OFWs will be sent home,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

MIGRANTE vice chairperson

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No. 0063 923 420 0112

MIGRANTE sees damaging impact on OFWs deployment and possible jobs displacement as PH-Taiwan tension escalates

Meanwhile, Monterona sees a damaging impact on OFWs deployment and possible jobs displacement as tension between the Philippines and Taiwan is getting high. He said it is prudent on PNoy govt. to consider sending high-level delegation team to talk with the Taiwan govt. to settle the issue and to mitigate the impact on OFWs deployment and displacement.

He extends an unsolicited advice to fellow OFWs in Taiwan to take extra care and limit their movements and engagement to enraged Taiwanese.

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Press Release

17 May 2013

Ready reintegration program for displaced OFWs, group urges PNoy govt.

The Filipino migrants rights group MIGRANTE today urges President Benigno Simeon Aquino III (PNoy) to order the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) and other concerned government agencies to ready its reintegration program for displaced overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

“We knew for a fact that there are OFWs who have sought repatriation from Saudi Arabia; some of them undocumented, while others have been displaced by Saudization or locally known in the Kingdom as Nitaqat, which means localization of labor giving priority jobs to Saudi nationals over expatriate workers,” said MIGRANTE vice chairperson John Leonard Monterona, also regional coordinator of Migrante International in the Middle East.

Monterona, who is spending his annual vacation now in the Philippines, said there are 7,500 stranded OFWs in Saudi Arabia who have sought assistance for their repatriation from the PH embassy and consulate in the Kingdom.

Around 4,500 have set up tents beside the PH consulate since the 1^st week of April in Jeddah and still there until now, while 165 stranded OFWs encamped inside the PH embassy compound in Riyadh on May 4.

“There number is expected to surge from between 12,000 to 22,000 when the 90-day grace period granted by the Saudi govt. to fix their documents, either for transfer of sponsor or repatriation, comes nearer to an end July 8,” Monterona explained.

Majority of the stranded OFWs were run away from their sponsor. Some have pending absconding case filed by their sponsors locally called ‘Horoob’, while others are lucky enough that their sponsors did not file an absconding case against them.

Even the OFWs with legal status but on a free visa known as ‘freelancer’ are also affected by the Saudization/Nitaqat. After the 90-day grace period, they’re the also a target of an intensified crackdown by the Saudi authorities, according to Monterona.

“These displaced OFWs will be facing tough economic situation back in the Philippines amid PNoy govt. claim that the economy is growing,” Monterona averred.

The OFW leader further said that the displaced OFWs are unprepared and many of them coming home empty.

 “Thus, we are urging PNoy to order the DoLE, OWWA and other concerned agencies to ready a comprehensive reintegration program that will assist all displaced and returning OFWs, not only limited to OWWA active members, by providing entrepreneurship skills trainings and loans for small business,” Monterona suggested.

On 2011, PNoy ordered the allocation of P2-B for OWWA’s OFW Reintegration Program (OFW-RP) taken from the P12.8-B OWWA trust fund pooled from US$25 OFW membership fee held in trust to the government.

Meanwhile, Monterona sees a damaging impact on OFWs deployment and possible jobs displacement as tension between the Philippines and Taiwan is getting high. He said it is prudent on PNoy govt. to consider sending high-level delegation team to talk with the Taiwan govt. to settle the issue and to mitigate the impact on OFWs deployment and displacement.

He extends an unsolicited advice to fellow OFWs in Taiwan to take extra care and limit their movements and engagement to enraged Taiwanese. (End) # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

MIGRANTE vice chairperson

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No. 0063 923 420 0112

Group calls for probe on embassy officials harassing stranded OFWs in Saudi Arabia

Press Release

16 May 2013

Group calls for probe on embassy officials harassing stranded OFWs in Saudi Arabia

Migrant rights group, MIGRANTE-Middle East (M-ME), today calls on the Philippine Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and various international human rights group such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the United Nations Special Rapporteur for Migrants, to conduct investigation on the inhumane treatment of stranded overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) by Philippine Embassy officials in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.


On May 4, 2013, around 165 stranded OFWs, mostly women and some with children staged an encampment inside the PH embassy compound after the PH ambassador to Saudi Arabia failed to show for a dialog to press their repatriation.


“From the very beginning and until now, PH ambassador Ezzadin Tago is hesitant to face the stranded OFWs who are seeking assistance for their repatriation especially when the Saudi govt. launched a massive Kingdom-wide crackdown of undocumented and after the latter announced a 90-day grace period to fix the documents of undocumented, which will end on 8 July 2013,” said John Leonard Monterona, MIGRANTE vice chairperson and regional coordinator of Migrante-Middle East.


Instead of squarely attending the request for assistance by the stranded OFWs, Mr. Tago employed old dirty tactics such as cutting of electricity and water lines where the stranded have set up their tents, barring the entry of OFWs donations such as food, water, and medicines, duping the stranded mother whose child is suffering from hydrocephalous by falsely promising hospitalization for her child, and continuously harassing the stranded OFWs so that they will be forced them to leave the embassy’s premises, Monterona citing reports from the stranded OFWs.

Yesterday (May 15, 2013) about 6:00 p.m. an embassy official identified as Mr. Jimmy Harris, who work as translator cum driver for the embassy’s Assistance to the National Section (ANS) suddenly went to the tent where the stranded OFWs are staying. He shouted and scolded the stranded OFWs and had attempted to beat some of the stranded in front of him as seen in the video uploaded in social networking site Face Book.

(See link here https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=554543277921751 that was sent to M-ME’s Monterona).

“We condemn in the strongest possible terms the continued harassment by the Embassy officials headed by Mr. Tago to the helpless stranded OFWs, mostly victim of labor rights violations, abuse and maltreatment, who are only seeking assistance since last year and were forced to set up tents inside the PH embassy compound to press for their repatriation,” Monterona lamented.

“These continued harassment on the stranded OFWs by PH embassy officials is quite alarming, thus we are calling the PH Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and other international human rights organizations to investigate these incidents and made those officials accountable on their coward and inhumane act,” Monterona averred.

Monterona said his group and the OFW community would hold Mr. Tago accountable to what will happen to the stranded OFWs inside the PH embassy compound due to continued harassment by its staff.

“Mr. Tago should stop harassing the stranded OFWs inside the PH embassy compound. Instead, he should work hard for the stranded OFWs repatriation. As a public official, he is duty-bound to uphold and defend migrant workers’ rights,” the OFW leader averred.

Monterona made his appeal to President Benigno Simeon Aquino III: “Mr. President, Sir, we appeal to you to give your utmost attention and hear the pleas of our stranded OFWs in Saudi Arabia seeking repatriation whose number reaches to 7,500 and is expected to surge to 12,000. Kindly instruct your diplomatic and labor officials in Riyadh and Jeddah to provide food, water, medicines, and other needs of our stranded OFWs.” # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Vice chairperson, MIGRANTE

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No. +63 923 420 0112

PH embassy rejects request to conduct medical mission for stranded OFWs

Press Release

16 May 2013

PH embassy rejects request to conduct medical mission for stranded OFWs

The Philippine embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia rejected the request to hold a medical mission for stranded overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) mostly women, some with children, reportedly are sick and still inside the PH embassy compound seeking help for their repatriation, according to Filipino migrants rights’ group MIGRANTE.

On May 13, 2013, a letter jointly signed by the chairpersons of MIGRANTE and Gabriela Women’s Party chapters in Saudi Arabia, Patricia Enriquez and Sarah Gabriel, respectively, was sent to PH ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ezzadin Tago requesting the holding of a medical mission for stranded OFWs who have camped inside the PH embassy compound.

“In reference to the current situation of the distressed OFWs stranded inside the embassy premises, we would like to inform you that AVICENNA Clinic, and Magrabi Hospital Riyadh staff nurses are conducting a medical mission on Friday, 17 May 2013 at 12:30n to 3:30 p.m.,” stated the two OFW women leaders in their letter sent to Amb. Tago.

Two days after, the PH embassy through its Administrative Officer Mr. Mohanad Taha Guinomla replied rejecting the request to hold medical mission.

“We regret that we are unable to accommodate your request for a medical mission for the OFWs inside the Embassy premises,” Guinomla in his letter reply dated Ma7 15, 2013, adding that the Embassy is closed to the public on Fridays.

PH embassy’s Guinomla cited that for security reasons, they ‘can’t allow non-embassy personnel to enter the premises’. He, however, assures that they’re ‘always ready to extend medical assistance to the distressed OFWs and bring them to the hospital should they require such assistance.’

PH embassy-Riyadh May 15 letter reply to OFW groups request to hold medical mission for stranded OFWs who have encamped inside PH embassy compound since May 4, 2013.

On his part, MIGRANTE vice-chairperson and middle-east regional coordinator John Monterona criticized the PH embassy’s rejection to the request to hold a medical mission.

“The very aim of the medical mission is to attend on the medical needs of the stranded OFWs who have been inside the PH embassy compound since May 4. They have reported to us that the PH embassy is not providing them food, water, medicines, and sanitation and in fact, the donations (food, water, and medicines) from various OFW groups were bared and were not allowed to reach to the stranded OFWs,” Monterona lamented.

Monterona said the PH embassy should have prepared and sent a notice holding a medical mission inside the PH embassy compound to Saudi’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and wait for the latter’s reply.

“To turn down the medical mission and yet no embassy medical assistance given to the stranded OFWs especially to the children and sick is clearly a disservice and tantamount to criminal neglect,” Monterona lamented.

“Instead of helping the stranded OFWs who have camped inside the PH embassy since May 4, Amb. Tago used the same old tactics in harassing the stranded OFWs to force them leave the PH embassy compound in Riyadh,” Monterona added.

Monterona noted on the 2^nd day of the encampment of the stranded OFWs inside the PH embassy compound, Amb. Tago ordered his staff to cut off the electricity and water lines where the 120 stranded OFWs, mostly women and some with children, have stayed at the old canteen inside the PH embassy.

“Amb. Tago ordered the PH embassy closed and the donations for the stranded OFWs coming from various Filipino organizations such as food, water, and sanitation were confiscated. Then, he is now blaming MIGRANTE and various Filipino organizations who have supported the stranded OFWs in their fight for free, swift, mass repatriation as he claimed that the embassy’s operation have been affected,” Monterona adding that it was Tago who ordered the embassy closed where in fact the stranded have camped inside the compound of the embassy far away from the main building of the embassy where daily consular services being held.

On May 6, Tago ordered his staff to talk to Monaida Angko Dimarao, 30, from Parang, Maguindanao, to convince her that the embassy will only provide medication to her 10-month old daughter who has hydrocephalous, if they will leave the encampment inside the PH embassy. She hesitated but was forced by embassy staff and get way her daughter who was brought inside the PH embassy building.

After hours of waiting and sensing that there is no update of the promised medication of her daughter by the PH embassy staff, she and other fellow stranded OFWs went to PH embassy building to demand that her daughter be back with her. (Attached link of the recorded video sent by a stranded OFWs to MIGRANTE’s Monterona http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhWCYxcJayE&feature=youtu.bev)

“We can’t understand why Amb. Tago is forcing the stranded OFWs leave the PH embassy compound who only wanted a sanctuary inside the PH embassy while awaiting the assurance and action of the PH embassy for their repatriation. The PH embassy is supposedly the most secured place for our stranded, distressed, and abused OFWs,” retorted Monterona.

Monterona said the number of stranded OFWs in Saudi Arabia seeking assistance for repatriation surges to 7,500 and is expected to balloon to around 12,000 as the Saudi govt.-imposed grace period deadline to fix the documents and legalization of undocumented migrants will end on 8 July 2013.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Vice chairperson, MIGRANTE

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No. +63 923 420 0112

MIGRANTE urges COMELEC to hold parallel manual count in AES-PCOS areas abroad

Press Release

12 May 2013

Last appeal to the COMELEC

MIGRANTE urges COMELEC to hold parallel manual count in AES-PCOS areas abroad

A day before the elections, the Filipino migrant workers’ party-list group MIGRANTE today said it urges the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and the Committee on Overseas Absentee Voting (COAV), composed of representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the COMELEC, to consider the holding of parallel manual count in seven (7) areas abroad though an Automated Election System (AES) using Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) have been put in place.

“We are asking the COMELEC and the COAV to seriously consider the holding of parallel manual count in 7 areas abroad during the counting of absentee votes that will start 7:01 p.m. on May 13, right after the election day period,” said MIGRANTE vice-chairperson John Leonard Monterona, also regional coordinator of Migrante International in the Middle East.

Aside from Hong Kong and Singapore, where the AES-PCOS have been implemented since 2007 and 2010 elections, new 5 areas in the Middle East will use AES-PCOS machines. These are Riyadh and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Kuwait.

“We have been raising some legal and credibility issues in regards to the conduct of AES in the Philippines as well as abroad. And until now, there are no sufficient explanations and contingencies put in place by the COMELEC,” Monterona added.

For one, Monterona added, there is no thorough review of the source code. “The COMELEC only presented to the public the source code the other day that renders a thorough review impossible, which is in clear violation of the law that requires 4 months before the election,” the OFW leader averred.

In addition to the above, Monterona said, “The lack of license for using the system, the disabling of all major safeguards and accuracy features such as the use of UV lights and BEI digitals signature on the returns, among others; the numerous glitches on PCOS testing -all these raise legal grounds questioning the legitimacy of the May 13 elections precisely because of the flawed system.”

Monterona added the counting and transmission of votes from these 7 areas abroad have not been fully explained amid errors documented during the 2010 elections. “Some of the fixing or fabrication of the count happens during the transmission gaps and interruptions from the precincts upward to the national servers.”

“These are serious credibility issues in the conduct of AES-PCOS in 7 areas abroad as the same way the conduct of elections in the Philippines tomorrow, May 13,” Monterona adding, “On these bases (as cited above), we are proposing a parallel manual count.”

“To avoid facing numerous legal actions, the COMELEC should consider holding parallel manual count in 7 areas abroad. Manual count is mandated and sanctioned by law if there are valid legal bases as I have cited above,” Monterona lamented.

Monterona further said that MIGRANTE and other OFW groups’ poll watchers abroad vow to help contribute attain honest, orderly, and peaceful elections.

“We need to be vigilant to prevent possible fraudulent acts and to secure the sanctity of our votes. We will conduct our own manual audit of overseas votes,” Monterona declared. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

MIGRANTE vice-chairperson

Mobile No. 0063 923 420 0112

Stranded Pinoys seeking repatriation to surge amid expiry of Saudi govt. 90-day grace period

Press Release

11 May 2013

Stranded Pinoys seeking repatriation to surge amid expiry of Saudi govt. 90-day grace period

The 90-day grace period granted by the Saudi government to all ‘illegal’ workers to rectify their status will end on July 3 that is seen to surge the numbers of stranded Filipino workers seeking repatriation, according to a Filipino migrants rights group.

“As the 90-day grace period is nearing to end on July 3, we are expecting a surge in the number of stranded Filipino workers seeking assistance from the PH embassy and consulate. Per PH embassy records, there were already 7,500 stranded Filipino workers who have sought assistance for their repatriation. It will balloon to around 12,000 before on July 3,” said MIGRANTE vice chairperson John Leonard Monterona, also regional coordinator of Migrante International in the Middle East.

Stranded OFWs, some with children, seeking repatriation at the PH Embassy in Riyadh, KSA

Monterona, however, noted that per their conservative estimate there are about 22,000 undocumented OFWs in the entire Kingdom; mostly run away from their sponsor-employer due to alleged various labor rights violations, abuses and maltreatment.

Monterona said the Saudi govt. seems dead serious to continue the crackdown of illegal workers after July 3.

Those who will be nabbed will risk being slapped with prison sentences and fines.

On May 10, 2013, Saudi Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Labor posted an implementing guidelines for Expatriates to rectify status on the website of the Saudi Press Agency (www.spa.gov.sa) approved by the King for expatriates to rectify their status in the Kingdom by July 3.

‘We came to know that the guidelines address to issues related to return to the current sponsor, transfer of sponsor, and repatriation,” Monterona added.

Monterona also noted that per the Guidelines, the provisions for the issuance of a waiver on the payment of penalties and fines were granted and the ‘No Objection Certificate’ (NOC) or the consent of the current employer is no longer required.

“We welcome the issuance of the Guidelines to rectify the status of undocumented migrants including our fellow Filipino workers as it will smoothen the process. But the extension to the 90-day grace must be pursued by the PH govt. with the host Saudi govt.,” Monterona averred.

Monterona noted that the extension to the 90-day grace period was among the commitment given by Department of Foreign Affairs secretary Albert Del Rosario during April 30 dialog with MIGRANTE officials and some of the kin of the stranded OFWs in Saudi Arabia.

“We will closely follow this matter to SFA Del Rosario. We will also seek from the Saudi govt. the granting of general amnesty to all undocumented migrants including Filipino workers so that they will be repatriated soon,” Monterona lamented.

Monterona also reminded the PNoy govt. through the DFA the continuous supply of food, water, sanitation and other needs of the stranded OFWs in ‘Tent City’, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

He said those 66 stranded OFWs now inside the PH embassy in Riyadh on their 7^th day have been ‘terrorized’ by PH embassy staff as per the order of Amb. Ezzadin Tago such as the food and water donated by various Filipino organizations were not allowed and were confiscated, the electricity and water lines were cut, forcing some of the stranded OFWs to leave the embassy premises.

“We condemn such act by PH embassy officials and will hold Amb. Tago accountable. We demand from the PNoy govt. Ambassador Tago’s immediate recall,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Vice Chairperson, MIGRANTE party-list

Mobile No. +63 923 420 0112

Recall PH envoy to KSA –MIGRANTE

Press Release

8 May 2013

Recall PH envoy to KSA –MIGRANTE

The Filipino migrants’ rights group, MIGRANTE, which is at the forefront of providing assistance to 7,500 stranded Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia who have wanted to be repatriated home, today calls on Philippine President Benigno Simeon Aquino III to recall PHL ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

“We support and join the demand of the various Filipino organizations and the 7,500 stranded OFWs in Saudi Arabia to immediately recall PHL ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ezzadin Tago,” said John Leonard Monterona, MIGRANTE party-list vice chairperson.

Monterona said Amb. Tago have shown that he is just a sitting duck and inutile who can’t provide protection and promote the rights and welfare of OFWs especially the stranded, distressed and abused in the Kingdom noting that OFWs welfare is third on the public service thrust of the PH Foreign Affairs department.

“Instead of helping the stranded OFWs who have camped inside the PH embassy since May 4 to call PH embassy’s attention for their free, swift, mass repatriation, Amb. Tago used the same old tactics in harassing the stranded OFWs to force them leave PH embassy compound in Riyadh,” Monterona added.

Some of the stranded OFWs, mostly women with children, standing in front of the PH embassy building trying to get inside to seek a dialog with PH Ambassador to KSA Ezzadin Tago to press for their free, swift, mass repatriaiton. Photo taken May 4, 2013.

Monterona noted on the 2^nd day of the encampment of the stranded OFWs inside the PH embassy compound, Amb. Tago ordered his staff to cut off the electricity and water lines where the 120 stranded OFWs, mostly women and some with children, have stayed at the old canteen inside the PH embassy.

Some of the stranded OFWs, mostly women with children, standing in front of the PH embassy building trying to get inside to seek a dialog with PH Ambassador to KSA Ezzadin Tago to press for their free, swift, mass repatriaiton. Photo taken May 4, 2013.

“Amb. Tago also ordered the PH embassy closed and the donations for the stranded OFWs coming from various Filipino organizations such as food, water, and sanitation were confiscated. Then, he is now blaming MIGRANTE and various Filipino organizations who have supported the stranded OFWs in their fight for free, swift, mass repatriation as he claimed that the embassy’s operation have been affected,” Monterona adding that it was Tago who ordered the embassy closed where in fact the stranded have camped inside the compound of the embassy far away from the main building of the embassy where daily consular services being held.

On May 6, Tago ordered his staff to talk to Monaida Angko Dimarao, 30, from Parang, Maguindanao, to convince her that the embassy will only provide medication to her 10-month old daughter who has hydrocephalous, if they will leave the encampment inside the PH embassy. She hesitated but was forced by embassy staff and get way her daughter who was brought inside the PH embassy building.

After hours of waiting and sensing that there is no update of the promised medication of her daughter by the PH embassy staff, she and other fellow stranded OFWs went to PH embassy building to demand that her daughter be back with her. (Attached link of the recorded video sent by a stranded OFWs to MIGRANTE’s Monterona http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhWCYxcJayE&feature=youtu.bev)

“We can’t understand why Amb. Tago is forcing the stranded OFWs leave the PH embassy compound who only wanted a sanctuary inside the PH embassy while awaiting the assurance and plans of the PH embassy for their repatriation. The PH embassy is supposedly the most secured place for our stranded, distressed, and abused OFWs,” Monterona averred.

Monterona lamented, “Tago certainly does not know his job and responsibilities as head of PH mission in Saudi Arabia in terms of providing assistance to distressed and stranded OFWs. He said he wanted to secure the PH embassy compound and yet he is not providing security and relief to stranded OFWs. Rather, Tago is terrorizing the stranded OFWs just to force the stranded leave the PH embassy compound.”

“Along with various OFWs organizations in Saudi Arabia and in the Middle East, we will intensify our campaign for free, swift, mass repatriation of the stranded OFWs in the Kingdom while we call on Pres. Aquino to recall Amb. Tago,” Monterona concluded.

Ezzadin Tago is half-Filipino, half-Egyptian, who was promoted to become PH ambassador to Saudi Arabia in 2011 after his stint as Consul General at PH diplomatic mission in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia replacing Amb. Antonio Villamor who was a political appointee of then president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Vice Chairperson, MIGRANTE party-list

Regional coordinator, Migrante-Middle East (M-ME)

Mobile No. +63 923 420 0112