If POAE chief is replaced, PNoy heeded on an ill-advise –OFW group

Press Release

31 December 2011

If POAE chief is replaced, PNoy heeded on an ill-advise –OFW group

He, (referring to President Benigno ‘Noynoy” Simeon Aquino III), is about to commit a crucial year-end decision if the impending replacement of Atty. Carlos Cao Jr., as the administrator of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), an adjunct agency to the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE), would push through as reported, according to Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator and the Kapatiran sa Gitnang Silangan (KGS) spokesperson John Leonard Monterona.

“POEA Cao’s impending replacement manifests power-struggle between new and old within PNoy’s top labor honchos; Atty. Cao as a newcomer who wanted to institute real reforms in the POEA, while his expected replacement DoLE undersecretary Hans Cacdac is an old-timer in the POEA,” Monterona noted.

Monterona believed the foremost consideration why Atty. Cao was appointed to head the POEA by PNoy is his unquestioned integrity and corrupt-free records of service, both in private and public positions he previously occupied.

“I think Atty. Cao’s integrity, of not being corrupt and unblemished records of service, a supposed qualifier to PNoy’s political slogan ‘Tuwid na Daan’, eventually landed him to POEA administrator-ship,” Monterona opined.

“In fairness to Atty. Cao, he has done a good job instituting bureaucratic reforms that streamlined the procedure of services to OFWs stakeholders such as the Balik-Mangagawa wherein vacationing OFWs are required to obtain an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) and in the combat against illegal recruitment activities, among others though he just more than 1 year in office,” Monterona added.

Monterona said he personally witnessed the now more rationalized process in obtaining the OEC as he line-up to get his OEC last December 27 at the Balik-Mangagawa Center, POEA building in Ortigas, which only took him about 20 to 30 minutes, though he said more service windows must be manned to cater more OFWs.

Monterona noted that it was Atty. Cao who busted the fake proliferation of OECs on mid-year 2011 being sold to OFWs via recruitment agencies that victimized more than a thousand OFWs.

“Such prevented a large-scale human smuggling and illegal trafficking activities by alleged some POEA corrupt officials in cahoots of illegal recruiters,” said the Saudi-based OFW leader who is now on vacation in the Philippines.

Monterona said though Atty. Cao is just a newcomer at the POEA who found his tasks overwhelming, nevertheless, he fairly passed his learning-curve hurdle as he was a fast-learner.

“His boss at the DoLE may not like him, for whatever reasons we don’t know; but the ‘padrino system’ in Philippine bureaucracy is very much alive and practiced discreetly from top to bottom, though bureaucrat-capitalists may strongly object on our observation,” Monterona added.

Monterona urges PNoy to think not once but twice or even more, before signing the order replacing Atty. Cao as POEA chief. “He may be blinded and fed wrong information by his top labor honchos about the POEA chief performance.”

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante Middle East regional coordinator & KGS Spokesperson

Saudi Mobile No.: 00966 535921228

Temporary PH mobile No.: 0063 9234200112

Snail-paced repatriation of OFWs in Syria hit; PH govt. urged 'to draw evacuation and repatriation lessons' from MENA upheavals

Press Release

28 December 2011

Snail-paced repatriation of OFWs in Syria hit; PH govt. urged 'to draw evacuation and repatriation lessons' from MENA upheavals

A Filipino migrants’ rights group today scored the Philippine government for what it says a ‘snail-paced repatriation of OFWs’ since the conflict escalated in Syria early this year.

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator and Kapatiran sa Gitnang Silangan (KGS – Brotherhood in the Middle East) spokesman John Leonard Monterona said the repatriation efforts of the concerned PH government agencies is still wanting after almost a year of conflict in war-torn Syria.

Monterona, citing official data from the Department of Foreign Affairs, noted as of 2^nd week of December, there were about 300 OFWs were repatriated from Syria. “This is translated to about 1.7% out of the 17,000 estimated numbers of OFWs in Syria.”

“We would also note that the recall of PH Ambassador to Syria Wilfredo Cuyugan hasn’t made a difference who was replaced by Amb. Ricardo Endaya, who is, according to the DFA, more experienced in govt. repatriation efforts,” Monterona averred.

Monterona added that PH government failed to solve the constrains confronting the govt. repatriation efforts or at least find ways to effect an efficient and economical repatriation program for OFWs caught in war-torn Syria.

“For one, the PH govt. agencies failed to convince the employers of legally deployed OFWs, though their number is too small compared to undocumented OFWs, to let them go out of Syria by issuing a corresponding exit visas,” Monterona citing this as one of the constraints affecting the govt. repatriation efforts.

As to the case of around 13,000 to 15,000 undocumented OFWs in Syria, Monterona said the PH govt. could have early send a high-level delegation to diplomatically request and arrange with the Syrian authorities the mass repatriation of OFWs citing humanitarian consideration amid the escalation of conflict feared to be on a brink of a civil war.

Monterona also cited the PH embassy officials’ failure to accurately assess the political situation in Syria. “There could be no timely and efficient repatriation effort by the PH govt. if in the first place there was a misreading of the peace and order situation in Syria when the conflict had just erupted and even ‘til now.”

Monterona also noted the PH govt. itself often cited lack or unavailability of funds or the bureaucratic constraint in releasing the funds as hindrance to an efficient repatriation program.

“The bureaucratic process in releasing the evacuation and repatriation funds must be rationalized, streamlined in recognition of the urgent need to secure the safety and well being of our OFWs in war-torn countries,” Monterona suggested.

Monterona urges the Department of Foreign Affairs to review its alert-level classifications and its corresponding advisories and be more proactive in its evacuation and repatriation program.

“The Egyptian uprising, the Libya turmoil, and the current upheavals in Syria must teach PH govt. agencies useful lessons in developing an effective and efficient evacuation and repatriation blue print,” Monterona concluded. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante Middle East regional coordinator, KGS Spokesperson

Saudi Mobile No.: 00966 535921228

Temporary PH mobile No.: 0063 9234200112

Global manhunt pressed for fugitive retired general

Press Release

27 December 2011

Global manhunt pressed for fugitive retired general

OFs, OFWs urged to be vigilant, spot and report whereabouts of wanted Palparan

A Filipino migrants’ rights group is not discounting the possibility that retired Major General Jovito Palparan may have sneaked away from the country more than a week after a branch of the Bulacan regional trial court issued a warrant of arrest for the disappearance of two students of the University of the Philippines in 2006.

Prior to the issuance of the warrant of arrest, Palparan, tagged ‘The Butcher’ by social and political activists for his supposed role in numerous extra judicial killings, attempted to sneak away from the country but was barred by immigration officials by the order of Department of Justice (DoJ).

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator and spokesman of the Kapatiran sa Gitnang Silangan ( KGS - Brotherhood in the Middle East) John Leonard Monterona said Palparan, being a former Army general, still has lots of connections with influential people who are still active in the government or in the military whom he may ask assistance to run away  and thus evade facing the charges against him and eventually his possible conviction.

Monterona added that it is so easy for Palparan to conceal his self and use other exit points in Southern Philippines as ‘backdoor’ sneaking away from the country.

Monterona said, thus, his group is urging overseas Filipinos (OFs) and OFWs abroad, to be vigilant and in case they’ve spotted Palparan to immediately report his whereabouts to the DoJ, other PH law enforcement agencies, and/or to the nearest PH embassy or consulate.

“As citizen, though we are working abroad, it is our responsibility to report the whereabouts of a fugitive like of Palparan so as to prevent him harming his perceived ‘enemies’ and/or the public. He’s a shame to OFs and OFWs if a criminal like him remains scot-free abroad,” Monterona averred.

“As defender of human rights, we would like to see the top human rights violator Palparan put in jail while he is given the opportunity to defend himself during trial,” Monterona added.

M-ME and KGS is urging the Aquino administration and the DoJ to intensify the manhunt for Palparan, not only in the Philippines but also abroad.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante Middle East regional coordinator, KGS Spokesperson

Saudi Mobile No.: 00966 535921228

Temporary PH mobile No.: 0063 9234200112

Prior to execution of 2 Egyptians, Saudi OFWs on-death row convey fears for life

Press Release

22 December 2011

Prior to execution of 2 Egyptians, Saudi OFWs on-death row convey fears for life

Three overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) on death-row in Saudi Arabia raise fears prior to hearing yesterday’s Agence France Press (AFP) report about the beheading by sword of two Egyptians accused of murdering a Filipino, according to a Filipino migrants rights group Migrante-Middle East (M-ME).

AFP report cited Saudi Press Agency, Kingdom’s state news agency, confirming the execution of Egyptians Wael al-Sayed and Rizq Rajab, who were convicted for killing a Filipino driver after the latter was lured and his driven truck were stolen by the convicts.

According to AFP accounts, this recent beheading brings to 75 the number of executions this year alone.

M-ME regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said, prior to hearing the Egyptians beheading, his group received a call from OFWs on-death row brothers Edison and Rolando Gonzales, 46 & 48 year-old respectively, and Eduardo Arcilla, 46, all from Mexico, Pampanga.

“The three, as prime suspects, along with 4 other fellow OFWs were implicated on the murder of 3 OFWs in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia sometime on April 2006,” Monterona said.

On July 23, 2007, the Court of First Instance rendered a guilty verdict sentencing Gonzales brothers and Arcilla, as prime suspects, to death by beheading; while the 4 other OFWs were sentenced to eight (8) years of imprisonment plus 1,000 lashes each in 50 interval lashes at least every two-week interval.

On April 2008, an appeal was lodged in court as the 3 OFWs claimed that they were forced and tortured to accept the accusations against them.

Monterona said he recently received a long-distance call on December 16, a Friday, from Gonzales brothers pleading for assistance to follow up their case with the PH embassy.

“The Gonzales brothers and Arcilla conveyed their fear for their lives, as they wouldn’t know what will happen amid reports of the recent beheading. They confirmed they are not getting update on their appeal case from the PH embassy or consulate’s Assistance to the Nationals section,” Monterona added.

Monterona, who is vacationing in the Philippines, said he texted PH ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ezzadin Tago to convey to him the request for update on the appeal case of the 3 OFWs on-death row. “Amb. Tago replied back to me that he will check with the PH consulate in Jeddah regarding their case.”

“The appeal case which was filed on April 2008 is still pending, after which series of hearings have been set and concluded. What we need from the PH embassy is transparency on the status and update of their appeal case and what are the current efforts of the embassy in order to allay their fears,” Monterona added.

Monterona said updates on the status of cases of OFWs on-death row and those in jail from the concerned PH embassies to the kin is a needed to avoid surprises and to let the PH govt. map out its plan and intensify its efforts saving the OFWs on-death row.

Aside from brothers Gonzales and Arcilla, there are other 5 OFWs in Saudi death-row including Rogelio ‘Don’ Lanuza and Joselito Zapanta.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante Middle East regional coordinator

Saudi Mobile No.: 00966 535921228

Temporary PH mobile No.: 0063 9234200112

Provide assistance to 10,000+ OFW families devastated by typhoon ‘Sendong’, OWWA urged

Press Release

20 December 2011

Provide assistance to 10,000+ OFW families devastated by typhoon ‘Sendong’, OWWA urged

A Filipino migrants’ rights group Wednesday urges the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), an adjunct agency to the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE), to provide assistance to the families of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were devastated by typhoon ‘Sendong’ in Northern Mindanao such as those in Cagayan De Oro and Iligan cities, and other nearby places in Northern Mindanao.

OWWA is the PH govt. welfare agency which primary task is to provide welfare programs and services to OFWs and their families.

OWWA charges compulsory membership fee of US$25 every OFWs deployed abroad and is being renewed every 2 years or as per contract basis in order to avail OWWA’s programs and services.

As of year-end 2010, OFWs funds held in trust to the government believed to have reached P12-B.

“We came to know that there are OFWs families devastated by typhoon ‘Sendong’ in Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and in other part of Nothern Mindanao as per reports from our Migrante chapters not only in the Middle East but as well as in other countries abroad where there are large concentration of OFWs,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

Monterona said there are quite a number of OFWs, whose families are in CDO and Iligan cities, who have asked for assistance from his group as their houses and properties have been devastated by typhoon Sendong and have no shelter, in dire need of food and clothes.

Monterona noted, citing National Statistic Office (NSO) Survey data on Overseas Filipino workers, there were about 6,000 OFWs deployed abroad in 2009 coming from Northern Mindanao including Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities.

“We are quite sure the numbers of OFWs coming from Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, and other provinces in Northern Mindanao have surged to about 10,000 last year. This would mean at least 10,000 OFWs families and dependents were affected by the typhoon ‘Sendong’ who need assistance,” Monterona added.

Monterona calls on OWWA chief Carmelita Dimzon to convene the OWWA board of trustees and urges the latter to immediately pass a board resolution providing financial assistance to OFW families devastated by typhoon ‘Sendong’ in CDO, Iligan, and other places in Northern Mindanao.

“The OWWA’s financial assistance to OFW families affected by typhoon ‘Sendong’ must be burden-free and hassle-free because it should be given in recognition of the OFW families’ dire situation as victims of typhoon Sendong,” Monterona concluded.

On Dec.18, Migrante reactivated its Sagip Migrante relief drive and have urged Filipino communities and OFWs groups abroad to donate for typhoon ‘Sendong’ victims.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante Middle East regional coordinator

Saudi Mobile No.: 00966 535921228

Temporary PH mobile No.: 0063 9234200112

Sagip Migrante reactivated for typhoon Sendong relief drive

Press Release

20 December 2011

Sagip Migrante reactivated for typhoon Sendong relief drive 

OFW group urges Filipino Communities, OFW organizations to donate for typhoon “Sendong” victims

Migrante-Middle East, the largest alliance of overseas Filipino workers’ organizations in the Middle East today urges the Filipino communities and other OFW organizations in the Middle East to mobilize their members and officers to start collecting donations, cash, relief goods and clothing from compatriots abroad for the victims of typhoon “Sendong” that caused floods in Northern Mindanao specifically in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities and nearby provinces victimizing thousands of families including kin of OFWs.

“We have mobilized our Migrante chapters and member-organizations into a coordinating bodies in their respective countries that will spearhead gathering of donations, cash, goods, and clothes for the relief operations of our allied non-government organizations in Mindanao,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-ME regional coordinator.

Monterona said Migrante chapters will coordinate this effort with different Filipino communities and Filipino organizations in the Middle East so that they could gather as many as possible goods, clothes and cash donations.

Monterona said the Filipino communities and other OFWs organizations may contact the below listed Migrante officers in the Middle East for their donations:

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia:

Migrante-Saudi Arabia chapter Chairperson Mario Ben, mobile no. 00966557267069

KGS-Migrante Chairperson Eric Jocson, mobile no. 00966566170173

KGS-Migrante Sec.Gen Mike Garlan Mobile No. 0505629 89930

Eastern region, Saudi Arabia:

Migrante-Al Khobar Chairperson Gerry De Guzman, 00966507373906

OFW Join Force-Migrante KSA chairperson Sonny Rivera, 00966563320010

Western region, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: Migrante-Jeddah Chairperson Marlon Gatdula, 00966562031626

UAE:

Migrante-UAE officers: Karen, 00971509615684, Susan 00971505484035, and Nhel 00971553106570

Qatar:

Samahang ng Migranteng Mangagawa sa Qatar (SAMMAQA) chairperson Noel Tolentino, 0097433930687

Sagip Migrante- Home front hotline 0063 932-3995952

Migrante International

Dollar Account Number: 1994-0218-06                                Peso Account Number: 1993-0728-14
Swift Code: BOPIPHMM

Both Bank of Philippine Islands
Kalayaan Branch, Diliman

In other countries in the Middle East, our Filipino compatriots abroad may contact John Leonard Monterona at mobile no. 00966 535921228 or email at migranteme@gmail.com, so that they can be referred to Migrante coordinators/officers who will be ready to receive their donations.

“Wala namang ibang magtutulungan kundi tayong mga magkababayan kahit milya-milya man ang layo natin. Sa diwa ng Kapaskuhan, mag-donate para sa mga biktima ng bagyong Sendong,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.: 00966 535921228

OFW sentenced to life imprisonment; group presses PH post to appeal for reduction of sentence

Press Release

19 December 2011

OFW sentenced to life imprisonment; group presses PH post to appeal for reduction of sentence

A Filipino domestic worker in Kuwait was sentenced to life imprisonment December 13, Tuesday, by the Kuwait High Court, according to a Filipino migrants rights group Migrante-Middle East (M-ME).

M-ME regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said the OFW has name initials M.A.M, 34, single from Cotabato City from the Southern Philippines.

“M.A.M was charged of murder by stabbing her co-worker female Indian national in an incident that happened last May 25, 2011,” said Monterona.

According to the narrative by the convicted OFW during court hearings, she and her co-worker Indian national engaged in a verbal tussle every time the former played her Quranic verses in her DVD player and had a physical fight.

“The convicted OFW confessed that she stabbed her co-worker only to defend herself from the latter who attacked her,” Monterona citing reports it received from the family of the convicted OFW.

On December 13, the Kuwait High Court rendered a guilty verdict against OFW M.A.M and sentenced her to life imprisonment equivalent to 20 years of imprisonment.

Monterona said the High Court sentence could still be appealed.

“The embassy hired-lawyer must immediately file an appeal for a reduction of her sentence citing mitigating circumstances such as the self-defense claim of the OFW against her co-worker who was the attacker and is bigger than her,” Monterona added.

Monterona added that in behalf of the convicted OFW and her family, his group will formally sent a letter to the PH embassy-Assistance to the Nationals section (ANS) to immediately file an appeal for the reduction of sentence.

PH govt is not deserving of UN commendation

Monterona, reacting to the United Nations’ commendation to the PH govt. for ‘exemplary efforts’ in protecting OFWs in war-torn countries such as Egypt and Libya, said the PH govt. continued neglect and unpreparedness and unwilling and wait-and-see stance to provide immediate assistance to OFWs in war-torn countries was exposed.

“In Libya for instance, the PH govt. under the Aquino regime were among those migrant-sending govt. last to impose compulsory repatriation and was disorganized in its repatriation efforts,” Monterona noted.

Monterona added that if not of the help provided by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), thousands of OFWs could not sneak out of Libyan cities.

“The Aquino administration also failed to provide assistance to the repatriate OFWs from war-torn countries as many of them claimed they did not receive yet the financial assistance promised by the OWWA,” Monterona concluded. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No. 00966535921228 / 0063 9234200112

1st month of OAV registration ‘unsatisfactory’; OFW group re-iterates call on OAV secretariat to conduct massive info drive

Press Release

13 December 2011

1^st month of OAV registration ‘unsatisfactory’; OFW group re-iterates call on OAV secretariat to conduct massive info drive

Since the start of overseas absentee voting (OAV) registration last November this month, only little more than 7,000 overseas absentee voters have registered, which is a ‘poor’ performance if not ‘unsatisfactory’ according to a Filipino migrants rights group.

As per the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) statement issued on December 12 this year, it stated that as of December 8, ‘Philippine Foreign Service Posts have 7,171 registrants and the number of registrants is increasing each week.’

The overseas absentee voting commenced on various Philippine Foreign service posts on the 1^st week of November, some posts have started a week after.

“For purposes of the May 13, 2013 elections, the filing of applications for registration/certification and transfer of registration records shall be filed at the Post or other designated registration areas from October 31, 2011 to October 31, 2012,’ the COMELEC stated in a notice issued on April 28,  2011.

(http://www.comelec.gov.ph/2013%20National_Local/press%20release/actual_notice_042811.html)

Reacting on the latest figure of OAV registrants released by the DFA, Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said ‘the low number of OAV registrants, a month after it had commenced, is reflective of the lack of information drive and education campaign by the various PH foreign posts that were task to conduct the OAV registration.’

Monterona noted that in the Middle East for instance, various PH foreign posts have not conducted or minimally carried out information drive and education campaign to encourage OFWs to register and thereby participate in the May 2013 elections.

Monterona said the 7,171 OAV registrants last month is way, way behind the monthly target of about 40,000+ per month so that it could reach the 1-M overseas absentee voters by the end of the registration on Oct.31, 2012.

Based on the 2010 Statistics on number of registered voters from the Comelec’s Committee on Overseas Absentee Voting, there were 589,830 total absentee voters registered on 2010 while there were 504,124 on 2007 translated to 14.5% increased.

Monterona noted that the OAV registered voters per continent increased slightly from 2007 to 2010.

In Asia Pacific, 191,761 on 2007 to 215,546 on 2010; North and South America, from 27,247 to 66,745; Europe from 48,462 to 61,294; and in the Middle East and Africas from 218,250 on 2007 to 225,148 on 2010.

Monterona said in order to reach the 1-M target, various PH foreign posts must seriously consider the setting up of mobile registration hubs in major cities where there are large concentration of OFWs.

“The PH embassy for instance in Riyadh, during our consultation with embassy officials mid-November, confirmed that it already asked permission to the host govt. the conduct of mobile registration which it says it is still awaiting approval from the latter. This must be followed with the host govt. to get the approval as it will certainly boost our OAV registration efforts,” Monterona added.

Monterona also suggested that in PH foreign posts that are conducting ‘Embassy on Wheels’ for passport renewal and other consular services such as in Saudi Arabia, the OAV registration could be integrated until Oct.31, last day of the OAV registration.

Monterona also urges the members of House of Representatives Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs (COWA) and Senate Labor committee and other appropriate committees to pass an urgent parallel bill allowing the registration of OFWs through the internet medium.

The OAV law requires personal appearance, usually in designated OAV registration centers such as at the embassy or consulate offices, during registration.

“Various OFWs groups and the Filipino communities abroad also play a crucial role for the success of the OAV registration and OFWs participation in any electoral exercise. Let us do our share to encourage our fellow OFWs to register by urging members and friends to register and develop series of activities such as conducting OAV discussions, forum, ‘house-to-house’ info drive and OAV leaflets distribution in places where there are large concentration of OFWs,” Monterona added.

He ended saying: ‘There is a budget for information dissemination and this must be utilized by the COMELEC and the OAV secretariat. We have heard that the 2010 budget for OAV info drive was not fully spent. It must not happen this time.”

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966535921228

Group urges PH govt. to seriously considers imposing mandatory repatriation of OFWs amid world powers’ warning against Syria

Press Release

11 December 2011

Group urges PH govt. to seriously considers imposing mandatory repatriation of OFWs amid world powers’ warning against Syria

An overseas Filipino migrants’ rights group today reiterates its call on the Aquino govt. to fast track the repatriation of more than 50 distressed and stranded overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) temporarily seeking refuge at the embassy’s Filipino Workers Resource Center (FWRC) in Damascus, Syria, and at the same time calls on the govt. to seriously considers imposing a mandatory repatriation of OFWs.

“We reiterate our call to the Aquino govt. through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to fast track the repatriation of the stranded and distressed OFWs at the FWRC in Damascus. We continue to receive requests from the kin of the stranded OFWs to follow their repatriation with the PH embassy,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

Monterona cited the request he received from the family of stranded and distressed OFWs in Syria. “Sir, ask lang po ng tulong. Sina Ruth Sumicad, Janice Soriano, at Analiza Muana, matagal na po sila sa PH embassy sa Syria pero wala pa rin linaw kung kelan sila makaka-uwi (Sir, we may ask help from you. OFWs Ruth Sumicad, Janice Soriano, and Analiza Muana, they have been staying long at the PH embassy in Syria but it is not clear when they’ll be repatriated)” one of the short messages from the OFWs relatives sent to M-ME’s Monterona.

The kin of stranded OFW Ruth Sumicad informed Monterona that she was endorsed to the Syrian immigration authorities three months ago but ‘she is still awaiting her repatriation’.

Monterona noted on Saturday, France called on world powers to ‘save the Syrian people’ as it joined the United States and Britain in raising an alarm that Syrian President Bashar Assad’s forces may be about to storm the rebels in Homs, Syria.

Monterona urges the DFA to conduct, from time to time, an assessment of the situation in Syria amid the heightened attack by the Syrian govt. forces against the rebels.

“The PH govt. voluntary repatriation must be reviewed in lieu of the warning issued by the world powers against Syria. The warning will give us a hint that the conflict in Syria will escalate further,” Monterona observed.

Monterona added that the PH govt. should not wait the time that it would be impossible to repatriate the OFWs in Syria due to the escalation of conflict.

“Compulsory or mandatory repatriation of OFWs must be seriously considered amid the escalation of conflict in Syria,” Monterona suggested.

Meanwhile, Monterona assailed the DFA’s spokesman when the latter said during an interview last week that ‘most of the OFWs don’t want to be repatriated, maybe they still feel safe there.’

“How could our OFWs feel safe if they knew that the fighting and Syrian govt. continuously battles with the rebels? Our OFWs would prefer to stay put wherever they are rather than risk their lives in going to PH embassy in Damascus as embassy staff are incapable of arranging their safe passage to reach the embassy,” Monterona lamented.

Government records showed that only a little less than 300 OFWs, mostly distressed and stranded, have been repatriated out of the 17,000 OFWs in Syria.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966535921228

(Note: M-ME’s regional coordinator could be contacted on his PH mobile phone +63 923 4200112)

100 distressed OFWs in PH embassy’s shelter want to be home by Christmas

Press Release

10 December 2011

Domestic workers right violations still rampant in the Middle East

100 distressed OFWs in PH embassy’s shelter want to be home by Christmas

Two weeks before Christmas, distressed women overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) numbering to about 100 who are temporarily staying at the Philippine Embassy’s Bahay Kalinga (BK), a half-way center for distressed OFWs in Abu-Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, plead for their repatriation according to a Filipino migrants’ rights group Migrante-Middle East (M-ME).

M-ME regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said some of the distressed OFWs at the PH embassy’s Bahay Kalinga in Abu-Dhabi, UAE’s capital, contacted him few days ago asking for assistance specifically to follow their repatriation.

“I was informed by some of the distressed OFWs that they have been staying for three months, while others for 6 months already. They kept on following their repatriation with the embassy officials but could not get clear update or information of their repatriation,” said Monterona.

Monterona said one of the distressed OFWs who seeks repatriation is Karen Agustin, 23, from Abulug, Cagayan. She works as a domestic helper in Al-Ain, 160 km. east of Abu Dhabi.

“OFW Karen was forced to run away, sometime October this year, from her employer after she was allegedly sexually harassed by her male employer. Since then she stayed at the embassy’s Bahay Kalinga,” Monterona added.

Monterona said OFW Karen’s employer filed an absconding case against her.

Monterona noted that about 90% of the distressed OFWs at the Bahay Kalinga in Abu-Dhabi are facing absconding cases after they were forced to run away due sexual abuse, physical and verbal, labor rights violations such as non-payment of salaries, illegal salary deductions, no day-off, working more than 8 hours without pay, among others.

“We are urging our PH embassy and labor officials in UAE to attend without further delay the resolution of the labor and absconding cases involving the distressed OFWs as we expect that maximum of 3 months their respective case could be resolved,” Monterona added.

Monterona added he was informed by the distressed OFWs that their airfare must not be a problem as they’ve heard there were airfare donations received by the PH embassy from individuals and various groups.

Monterona said he had asked Migrante officers in UAE to follow the distressed OFWs repatriation with PH ambassador Grace Prinsesa.

“I also sent a formal communication via electronic mail to OWWA administrator Carmelita Dimzon asking her to follow with OWWA officers in Abu-Dhabi the status of the repatriation of the distressed OFWs staying at the Bahay Kalinga,” Monterona added.

Monterona said OWWA chief Dimzon replied back to him stating “I will instruct the post now to look into your report.”

“Their immediate repatriation will be the ‘best Christmas gift’ the distressed women OFWs could receive this Yuletide season so that they could reunite with their families in the Philippines,” Monterona averred.

According to M-ME monitoring, there are around 3,800 to 4,500 distressed OFWs temporarily seeking refuge at various Bahay Kalinga or Filipino Workers Resource Centers (FWRCs) in the Middle East.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Saudi Mobile No. 00966535921228

Temporary PH Mobile No. 00639234200112