3 Syria OFWs plead for assistance via SMS; claimed they were ‘forwarded’ to jail by PH embassy officials

Press Release

29 February 2012

3 Syria OFWs plead for assistance via SMS; claimed they were ‘forwarded’ to jail by PH embassy officials

Out of their desperation seeking assistance from the concerned Philippine authorities in strife-torn Syria, three trapped overseas Filipino domestic workers were able to sent short message (SMS) pleading for assistance to an official of a Filipino migrants rights group.

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said on February 21, 2012 at 4:15 p.m., he received a text message from a certain Rowena Ramos asking him to follow her case, along other two companions, with the PH embassy in Syria. (See attached).

“Gud pm! Sir, Rowena ramos po i2 fr.syria. sir pki-follow up nmn po case q s embsy.ngtgl po q don tas forward d2 s kulungn.2lungn u kmi sir.rowena,nelvic & romela (Good afternoon! Sir, this is Rowena Ramos from Syria. Sir, please help us follow our case with the PH embassy. I stayed long there but was forwarded in jail. Please help us Sir –Rowena, Nelvic, and Romela),” the complete SMS sent by the OFWs to M-ME’s Monterona.

Monterona, who is based in Saudi Arabia, said after reading the above SMS from OFW Rowena, he immediately called back on the mobile number (+693993733264) Rowena used, but he ‘could not get connected’.

“I did call her mobile number several times but an auto-answering voice on the other line says ‘phone is currently switch off or out of coverage area’. Since Feb.21, every day, I repeatedly called the mobile number but to no avail,” Monterona added.

Monterona said he would like to talk with OFW Rowena to get additional information from her such as which prison they were brought and why the PH embassy ‘forwarded’ them to jail.

“I could not understand why the distressed and trapped OFWs who were already under the custody of the PH embassy for a month or more were forwarded or were endorsed by the embassy to jail?” Monterona asked.

Monterona added: “Providing there was a pending case of absconding filed by their respective employers, the PH embassy should take prudence in sending the distressed OFWs in Syria jail who are in fact already under their custody considering the present peace and order situation in Syria.”

Monterona calls on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to ask an explanation to the PH embassy officials in Syria why they have sent the distressed and trapped OFWs in (Rowena Ramos and two other companions known only as ‘Nelvic’ and ‘Rowena’) in jail.

“We want this investigated. We want to know which jail the 3 OFWs are presently incarcerated. What is their condition?” Monterona lamented.

Monterona added that he already received information, prior to OFW Rowena’s text message, there were a number of ran away OFWs sent to jail by PH embassy in Syria though the OFWs are under the custody of the embassy for months.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No. 00966 564978012

OFWs sneaking out, going to Syria and other banned Arab countries

Press Release

27 February 2012

OFWs sneaking out, going to Syria and other banned Arab countries

Group urges govt. to intensify crackdown on illegal recruiters, traffickers victimizing OFWs

Alarmed over reports of illegal deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) mostly household service workers (HSWs) in strife-torn Syria and other Arab countries with existing deployment ban, a Filipino migrants rights group today calls on the Philippine government and concerned agencies to intensify the crack-down on illegal recruiters and human traffickers who have continuously victimized innocent Filipinos who are desperate to work abroad.

Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said they are receiving reports that there are OFWs successfully sneaked out of the country using Arab ‘open cities’, such as Dubai in UAE and Doha in Qatar, as jump-off points to Syria and other Arab countries where there is an existing deployment ban.

Monterona revealed the sources of the information are OFWs victim of illegal recruiters who were recently repatriated as their respective employers were ‘dissatisfied’ with the OFWs services.

“Reports reaching us, there are about 15 Pinay domestic workers arrived in Dubai and more or less 10 in Doha, two to 3 weeks ago, for deployment in Syria and Jordan, while others going to Lebanon,” Monterona revealed.

Monterona said what is puzzling him is that these OFWs were able to obtain Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC), which means they were deployed legally with a recruitment agency or with the help of recruitment agents.

He suspected that these illegal recruiters a.k.a. unscrupulous recruitment agents would not be successful without the help of its counter-part foreign recruitment agents (FRAs) who will facilitate the entry of the deployed OFWs in the receiving host country such as Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon.

“If this is the case, then the only logical explanation is that there are recruitment syndicates who are in cahoots with POEA officials,” Monterona opined.

Monterona said his group has been repeatedly calling the Philippine government and all concerned agencies such as the Inter-Agency Council against Trafficking (IACAT) to conduct an intense crackdown of illegal recruiters in the Philippines and file an appropriate case against those who will be apprehended.

Monterona calls on OFWs and would-be OFWs not to be swayed and avoid becoming ‘willing victims’ of illegal recruiters and human traffickers, noting that ‘the unemployed Filipinos will not be forced to go abroad if there are jobs with decent pay and benefits in the country.’

“We are urging the victims of illegal recruitment and human trafficking to divulge information about their recruiters and traffickers to the concerned govt. agencies. The victims’ full cooperation is needed so that illegal recruiters and traffickers will be apprehended and an appropriate case will be filed against them,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966 564978012

Mid-east OFWs join fellow HK OFWs calling for removal of OWWA membership fees

Press Release

26 February 2012

Mid-east OFWs join fellow HK OFWs calling for removal of OWWA membership fees

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Middle East said they will be joining their fellow OFWs in Hong Kong in demanding the removal of membership fees paid to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) so that an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) will be issued to all departing and/or vacationing (Balik Mangagawa) OFWs.

“We Congratulates our fellow OFWs in Hong Kong headed by the United Filipinos-Migrante (UNIFIL-Migrante-Hong Kong) supported by the thousands of OFWs in leading the campaign for the removal of OWWA membership fees in the issuance of OEC,” declared John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

Monterona added that if the Philippine Labor Overseas Office (POLO) in Hong Kong has the authority to effect a change in OWWA membership policy in relation to the issuance of OEC, then the POLO in other PH posts in the Middle East could also do the same or given the same authority.

“It would be unfair or unjust on the part of OFWs working in other countries if the removal of the US$25 OWWA membership fee would only be implemented in Hong Kong. There must be one policy for all OFWs in regards to OWWA membership fees vis-a-vis issuance of OEC to OFWs,” Monterona asserted.

“In fact, there is a question of legality in the government’s imposition of OEC to OFWs as it may violate one’s right to travel. It became more dubious when the US$25 OWWA membership fee was made a prerequisite in the issuance of OEC,” Monterona added.

Good precedent

During a community leader’s forum on February 12, Labor Attache Manuel Roldan was quoted saying that starting Feb.1, OFWs applying for an OEC would no longer be required to present proof that they had paid their OWWA membership fee.

“Labatt Roldan has set a good policy example if indeed he will do what he had said during a community leaders’ forum in Hong Kong last Feb.12,” Monterona adding that his group will be urging other Labor attachés in the Middle East to follow Labatt Roldan’s move in removing the OWWA fees in the issuance of OEC,” Monterona added.

Signature Campaign to be initiated

Monterona said Migrante chapters in the Middle East, in its effort to help the ‘removal of OWWA membership fees in the issuance of OEC’campaign, will initiate a signature campaign and to formally send a petition letter to DoLE and OWWA, a copy of which will be sent to President Aquino III and Vice President Jejomar Binay, also presidential adviser on OFWs concerns.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966 564978012

M-ME statement on the Celebration of 26th National Migrants' Sunday, Feb.26, 2012

Press Statement

25 February 2012

On the celebration of National Migrants’ Sunday: Working towards Humanization of Migrants

We are glad and convey our solidarity to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) through its Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (ECPCMIP), which will be celebrating the 26^th National Migrants’ Sunday, February 26.

The National Migrants’ Sunday’s theme ‘Migration and the New Evangelization’ calls us Filipino workers abroad and our dependents to reflect and pray, and for the government and concerned agencies and officials to do something for the situation of distressed, abused, maltreated, and even those incarcerated in foreign jails.

There is no amount of OFWs remittances hitting high yearly record as usually announce yearly by the government that could equal or even surpass the social costs of migration, in general, and the sufferings of OFWs and their families, in particular.

We, OFWs, are living witness of our fellow OFWs sufferings abroad due to rampant cases of abuses, labor malpractices and other acts that dehumanizes migrants treating them like cheap commodity sold in the international labor market without protection of their well being, rights and welfare.

We will pray and work hard towards humanization of Migrants. We join our Church people and laymen in providing the needed assistance, care, and programs that could uplift the conditions of Filipino migrants and members of their families.

We will continue to call the attention of our government officials as well as the host governments to provide concrete on-site protection to all Migrants, including our OFWs, to recognize and respect their rights and well being. And the same time, we will be vigilant against the wrong doings and criminal neglect of our diplomatic officials abroad in providing assistance to abused and distressed OFWs.

Allow us to convey to President Benigno Simeon Aquino III to seriously implement economic reforms that would benefit those who are at the lower social echelon –the majority of the farmers and workers and poor urban dwellers – who have been hit hard by the continued price hikes of oil products, basic commodities and services.

Specifically, we call on him to initiate, through his partymates and allies in Congress, the repeal of Oil Deregulation Law. The President should also seriously consider the removal of EVAT on oil products as a move to mitigate the burden of unabated oil prices hikes to the general public and consumers.

We reiterate our call for genuine implementation of agrarian reform program. The immediate distribution of lands that have long been under the hands of few is long overdue and if the Cory Aquino govt. was sincere in implementing its own center-piece Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

Nationalization of the country’s basic industries must be done side-by-side the distribution of lands to the farmers. Our basic industries must provide the needed support to genuine agrarian reform program as well as spent govt. earnings from OFWs remittances in support of the agrarian-based economic activities.

We are glad that we share the above policy ideas with the CBCP in view of bringing economic progress and development to the country. Pro-people and pro-migrants economic policies are needed to end Philippineforced migration a.ka. intensified labor export program of the government.

Lastly, we congratulate the CBCP and the ECPCMIP leadership in honoring our Filipino migrants for tomorrow’s National Migrants’ Sunday celebration.

Long Live the Filipino people!

Long Live the Filipino migrants and members of their Families!

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona (Sgd).

Migrante-Middle East regional director

Mobile No.00966 564978012

OFW group calls probe on death of OFW repatriate from Syria while on stop over Abu Dhabi to Manila

Press Release

24 February 2012

OFW group calls probe on death of OFW repatriate from Syria while on stop over Abu Dhabi to Manila

A Filipino migrants’ rights group in the Middle East today calls the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to conduct an investigation over the reported death of an overseas Filipino worker who died while in transit to the Philippines via Abu Dhabi.

“Our call for an investigation is premised on the conflicting reports we have received. OWWA official has been quoted confirming that the unnamed OFW died in Syria under the care of OWWA as she is about to be sent home, while fellow OFW repatriate named Lorelie Cortez, 37, said, as quoted on news reports, that immigration officials in Abu Dhabi left the Filipino woman under her care,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

OFW Cortez was one of the 11 OFWs who arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport around 5 p.m. Thursday, Philippine Daily Inquirer/Inquirer.net reported.

“We are inclined to believe on the accounts by OFW Lorelie Cortez that the unnamed OFW who died while in transit Abu Dhabu International Airport was among with them, 11 OFW repatriates from Syria,” Monterona adding that he is ‘wondering why the PH embassy and OWWA officials in Syria allowed the sick OFW to travel without medical staff or assistant accompanying her.’

“Allowing a very sick OFW to travel is a gross negligence on the part of PH embassy and OWWA officials,” Monterona asserted.

“We want this investigated and impose disciplinary action, if not fired, those negligent embassy and OWWA officials with an aim that this would not happen again,” Monterona added.

Monterona is also urging the Congressional Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs (COWA) and the office of the presidential adviser on OFWs concerns headed by Vice president Jejomar Binay to look probe the death of sick OFW repatriate from Syria.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966 564978012

Doha OFW, 5 mos. detained under investigation over alleged involvement on the death of fellow OFW; kin presses his release

Press Release

23 February 2012

Doha OFW, 5 mos. detained under investigation over alleged involvement on the death of fellow OFW; kin presses his release

The kin of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) presses the Philippine Embassy in Doha, Qatar to provide legal assistance specifically hiring a local Shariah lawyer to defend him in court as the subject OFW has been detained for more than 5 months now without a case filed against him.

On electronic email sent to PH ambassador to Doha Crescente Relacion dated February 18, subject OFW’s kin stated “We, the relatives and family of Mr. Efren C. Latras, Jr. would like to appeal with your office for any legal assistance regarding his case. He was detained for almost five months now since September 9, 2011 at Capital Security Department but until now he has not been filed with any case against him.”

Mr. Latras Jr.,along with other two fellow OFWs, has been implicated over the death of Edilyn Buno Mirasol who was found dead allegedly ‘by hanging herself’ on September 8 at the roof top of the apartment they are renting with other fellow OFWs and co-workers.

“In this misfortune, being our Philippine Government representative here in Qatar, we are urgently seeking your action about this matter. Please provide us legal assistance as what was embodied in our OWWA Omnibus Code and other POEA Rules and Guidelines,” the kin of OFW Latras added.

The kin ascertained that OFW Latras has ‘no criminal record in the Philippines as he is humble and has a virtue of low profile personality and had neither any records of working conflicts with co-worker nor quarrelsome attitude.’

“For the moment his wife and children are gravely worried of what had happened to him here in Doha because he was accused of a crime that we knew he never committed,” his kin added.

In reply to the email inquiry sent by the Samahan ng Migranteng Mangagawa sa Qatar (SAMMAQA), Migrante affiliate in Doha, along with the referred email of the OFW Latras’ kin, Ambassador Relacion stated that ‘OFW Latras is in good and stable condition as ascertained during Assistance-to-Nationals Unit's (ANU) last regular visit this February at the Capital Jail,” confirming that Latras' case is still in the Public Prosecution pending completion of investigation and has yet to be forwarded to the Court of First Instance. 

Ambassador Relacion added that on February 2, 2012 case hearing, ‘the court ruled OFW Latras extension of detention while the case is still undergoing investigation re the death of OFW Edilyn Buno-Mirasol.’

He cited under Qatar jurisprudence, the maximum period of investigation is six (6) months; after which, the judge has the authority to order an extension of detention indefinitely or issue a temporary release order

In relation to this, Migante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona urges the PH embassy in Doha to ensure that OFW Latras rights to due process will not be denied and is respected.

“If the maximum period of investigation lapsed -that will be next month- and still no case is filed against OFW Latras, it would be proper to ask the Doha Public prosecution office to release him. His continued detention beyond the 6-month maximum period of investigation and no case filed against him constitutes illegal detention and is in violation of his rights,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-ME regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966 564978012

PH embassy issues advisory on the use of Social Media Sites

Dear Fellow OFW leaders, OFW groups and the entire Filipino Community in Saudi Arabia, Friends in the Media:

Please find attached advisory from the PH embassy in Riyadh.

We are endorsing the same and urge fellow OFWs, officers and members of their organizations, and the entire Filipino community in Saudi Arabia to heed on this advisory.

We have asked our Migrante chapters and affiliate organizations to share this advisory and distribute to all concerned.

Help us please to propagate this. 

Thank you and best regards,

-John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966 564978012

For the information of fellow OFWs Re income earnings and money remittances tax exemption

OFWs income earnings and money remittances are tax exempted, but NOT earnings coming from 


business activities and properties in the Philippines or within the Philippines. Reference BIR 


Revenue Regulation No.1-2011 issued on Feb.24, 2011. 

ftp://ftp.bir.gov.ph/webadmin1/pdf/56432RR%201-2011.pdf

Group says OAV registration “disappointing”; urges OFW groups to help disseminate OAV info

Press Release

19 February 2012

Group says OAV registration “disappointing”; urges OFW groups to help disseminate OAV info

With only about 20,000 or little more overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who have registered as overseas absentee voters since it started last November 2011, a Filipino migrants rights’ group expressed disappointment on the small numbers OAV registrants.

                

As of January 18, 16,332 Filipinos from around the world have registered as overseas absentee voters, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) targeted 1-M OAV registrants ‘til the end of the registration period come October this year.

The low number of registrants prompted the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), the Department of Foreign Affairs-Overseas Absentee Voting Secretariat (DFA-OAVS), and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIA), jointly inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) establishing a registration center at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

“The OAV registration started November last year, though the move is long over-due, we, nonetheless, welcomed the setting up of registration center at NAIA to give departing and arriving OFWs the opportunity to register and avoid any hassle and to save their time,”said John Leonard Monterona, M-ME regional director.

Monterona, however, said “the conduct of massive OAV registration information and dissemination, and voter’s education campaign abroad is still wanting”.

“We are expecting that the COMELEC and DFA-OAVS and the various diplomatic posts abroad will come up information dissemination activities reaching the most numbers of OFWs abroad,” Monterona added.

Monterona renewed its call to the DFA-OAVS and its diplomatic posts in the Middle East to consider the setting up of mobile registration centers in cities or places where there are large concentrations of OFWs.

He cited, for instance in Saudi Arabia, where the PH embassy consular section is regularly conducting ‘embassy on wheels’ (EoW) from one city to another for various consular services including passport renewal.

“OAV registration must be made part of the EoW, and other posts in the mid-east must do the same,” Monterona suggested.

Monterona said Migrante chapters in the Middle East have started since January conducting symposium, forum, and group discussion on OAV, not only pertaining to registration but also the importance of exercising one’s right to vote.

“Mass distributions of OAV leaflets at OFW tambayans and accommodations are on-going, too,” Monterona added.

He urged other OFW groups to conduct OAV information dissemination activities among their members and urge them and other OFWs to register.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-ME regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966 564978012

OFW group welcomed Absentee voter’s registration at NAIA, but says OAV registration “very disappointing”

Press Release

17 February 2012

OFW group welcomed Absentee voter’s registration at NAIA, but says OAV registration “very disappointing”

Migrante-Middle East (M-ME), an alliance of various overseas Filipino workers’ organizations, Saturday welcomed the move by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), the Department of Foreign Affairs-Overseas Absentee Voting Secretariat (DFA-OAVS), and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIA), jointly inking a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) establishing a registration center at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

“The OAV registration started November last year, though the move is long over-due, we, nonetheless, welcomed the setting up of registration center at NAIA to give departing and arriving OFWs the opportunity to register and avoid any hassle and to save their time,”said John Leonard Monterona, M-ME regional director and Vice-chairperson of Migrante Sectoral Party (MSP).

Monterona, however, said “the conduct of massive OAV registration information and dissemination, and voter’s education campaign abroad is still wanting”.

“We are expecting that the COMELEC and DFA-OAVS and the various diplomatic posts abroad will come up information dissemination activities reaching the most numbers of OFWs abroad,” Monterona added.

Monterona renewed its call to the DFA-OAVS and its diplomatic posts in the Middle East to consider the setting up of mobile registration centers in cities or places where there are large concentrations of OFWs.

He cited, for instance in Saudi Arabia, where the PH embassy consular section is regularly conducting ‘embassy on wheels’ (EoW) from one city to another for various consular services including passport renewal.

“OAV registration must be made part of the EoW, and other posts in the mid-east must do the same,” Monterona suggested.

Monterona said Migrante chapters in the Middle East have started since January conducting symposium, forum, and group discussion on OAV, not only pertaining to registration but also the importance of exercising one’s right to vote.

“OAV leaflets mass distributions at OFWs tambayans and accommodations are on-going, too,” Monterona added.

As of January 18, 16,332 Filipinos from around the world have registered as overseas absentee voters, according to the DFA.

“We have remaining 8 months to register and yet only about 20,000 or a little more have registered by this time. The OAV registration is very disappointing, way below the 1-M target by the COMELEC and DFA-OAVS,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-ME regional coordinator

Vice-Chairperson, Migrante Sectoral Party

Mobile No.00966 564978012

89 Saudi OFWs stage 'stop work' protest vs. erring employer

Press Release

18 February 2012

89 Saudi OFWs stage 'stop work' protest vs. erring employer; seek OFW group’s assistance after embassy failed to attend their plea

Eighty-nine overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Saudi Arabia are protesting, along with other Asian workers, versus their erring employer over allegations of labor malpractices, according to Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) member-organization based in Riyadh.

Eric Jocson, Chairperson of the Kapatiran sa Gitnang Silangan (Brotherhood in the Middle East), said OFWs working for Al Swayeh Company in Riyadh sought assistance from his group as they have run out of food and money.

Jocson along with other KGS officers visited last night the distressed OFWs at their camp accommodation and handed them food and a small amount.

“Kami po ay empleyado ng Al Swayeh Company dito sa Riyadh, Saudi Arabia na humihingi ng agarang tulong para sa aming pag-uwi dahil sa di makataong pagtrato ng aming Employer,” conveyed OFW Absalon Paat, one of the distressed OFWs, to Jocson.

On their letter to the PH embassy dated October 15, 2011, the OFW detailed their complaints, such as: 1) the company didn’t release our salary for more than five (5) months now -from month of May up to the present month, 2) some of the employees had pending salaries way back from the year 2010, 3) Majority numbers of the employees had an expired Iqamas, 3) Medical insurance have not been renewed due to Iqama issue and we’re shouldering with our own expenses during the medication of ourselves, 4) worker’s whom filed for their vacation/exit for almost a year without paying their individual dues and no further action from the company.

“We’re suffering much, especially to our financial and we’re mentally affected due to our present condition,” pleaded the OFWs.

M-ME regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona lambasted the Philippine Embassy and labor officials in Riyadh who failed to attend and provide assistance to the problematic OFWs despite the latter’s repeated pleading since October last year.

“PH embassy and labor officials are like lame ducks in terms of providing assistance to distressed Filipino workers who were victims of labor malpractices,” Monterona lamented.

Monterona calls on Pres. Aquino III, the DFA and DoLE top officials to immediately instruct these inept PH embassy and labor officials in Riyadh to attend, without dilly-dally, the 89 distressed OFWs.

(In the name of transparency, please see below the original text of the OFWs electronic mail sent to Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona on February 14, 2011)

Kami po ay empleyado ng Al Swayeh Company dito sa Riyadh, Saudi Arabia na humihingi ng agarang tulong mula dyan sa ating bansa para sa agarang pag-uwi dahil sa di makataong pagtrato ng aming Employer.

Kami ay dina pinapasahod ng aming Employer sa loob ng (10) sampung buwan, dina rin po nere-renew ang aming mga residence permit o Iqama, marami na rin pong harassment na ginagawa ang employer namin upang kami mapaalis dito sa tinutuluyan naming accomodation.

Napagkaisahan na po naming ilapit na sa inyo dyan sa Pilipinas ang aming kalagayan dito dahil, mula po noong sumulat kami sa Embassy (attached) noong October 2011, hanggang ngayon ay wala pang sagot. Noong January 15, 2012 ay nagkaroon ng harassment dito sa loob ng aming compound ng umabot hanggang nagkaputukan ng baril, at noong oras ding yun ay pinaalam namin kay Ambasador Ezzedin H. Tago ang nangyari. kinabukasan po ay dumating si Consul Reyes na nagbitaw ng mga pangakong siya na ang tutulong ang magpapauwi sa amin sa lalong madaling panahon. Pero hanggang ngayon ay wala paring nangyari.

Noong February 13,2012 pinapunta kami ni Mr.Sebastian Rodrigo at Mr. Sami Ampang sa Saudi Labor Office upang kunin yung ipanangakong Unpaid Salary namin, pero ito ang sinabi ng dalawa, " WALA NA KAMING MAGAGAWA SA KASO NYO DAHIL PINAGLALARUAN TAYO NG SAUDI LABOR OFFICE AT GOVERNOR'S OFFICE "

Kaya sa inyo na po kami lumapit dahil wala na kaming ibang malalapitan, sana po matungan nyo kami dahil mahirap na po talaga ang kalagayan namin dito.

Nakahanda po kaming makipag-ugnayan sa inyo para sa mga iba pang detalye ng aming kalagayan dito, at sana matulungan nyo kami at mapauwi sa lalong madaling panahon.

Maraming salamat po.

Filipino Employees (89 persons)

(Please find attached files: 1) List of OFWs for Final exit who have already completed their contract, 2) Letter to the PH embassy dated October 11, 2011) 
Contact Persons of the 89 distressed OFWs
Mr. Absolon Paat        +966 538270452
Mr. Florante Blanco    +966 531597538
Mr. Isagani Gavino     +966 557922303

References:

Eric Jocson

Chairperson, KGS

Mobile No.00966 566170173

John Leonard Monterona

M-ME regional director

Mobile No.00966 564978012