Crackdown on undocumented migrants in Jordan; 28 OFWs nabbed

Press Release

1 October 2011

The host government had just launched a massive crackdown on undocumented migrants last week, according to a Filipino migrants group providing assistance to distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said his group is receiving requests for assistance from undocumented OFWs in Jordan for fear of being caught amid arrest of more than 30 of them since last Monday, September 26.

“As per reports we have received from some of the undocumented OFWs who asked our assistance, there are 20 women OFWs, who used to work as domestic workers in Jordan, were nabbed by the host govt. authorities last Monday,” Monterona added.

The following day, another 8 undocumented OFWs were caught by the host govt. authorities.

Monterona citing reports from the undocumented OFWs, the host govt. authorities are massively conducting house-to-house search of illegal or undocumented migrants in its capital city, Amman and other nearby places.

“Report reaching us is that the host govt. recently issued an instruction to conduct house-to-house search to clean-up the country amid proliferation of undocumented migrants,” Monterona adding that his group is still verifying if the crackdown is only targeting undocumented OFWs or migrants of other nationalities, too.

Monterona said most of the undocumented OFWs were ‘absconder’ or those who were forced to run away from their employers due to abuse and maltreatment and violations of their employment contract.

Monterona noted the deplorable conditions and rampant abuse and maltreatment of OFWs in Jordan prompted the PH govt. to imposed a ban on the deployment of household service workers or popularly known as domestic helpers in January 2008.

“As an off-shoot of the imposition of deployment ban in Jordan, just as like of the ban imposed in Lebanon, illegal deployment activities by human traffickers and illegal recruiters victimizing thousands of OFWs and aspiring OFWs, had only proliferated” Monterona said.

As the host govt. intensifies the crackdown of undocumented OFWs, Monterona calls on the host govt. to respect the fundamental human rights of the undocumented OFWs.

“We appeal to the host govt. to regularize, if not immediately repatriate, the undocumented OFWs and migrants of other nationalities while ensuring that their rights are respected,” Monterona averred.

The Saudi-based OFW leader also calls on the PH embassy officials in Jordan to provide assistance to the nabbed undocumented OFWs and liaise with the concerned host govt. authorities for their documentation or immediate repatriation.

According to Monterona, as per his group estimate, there are around 40,000 to 50,000 OFWs in Jordan.

“Sixty percent, or even more, are undocumented,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966535921228

Migrant rights group urges PH post to appeal case of OFWs falsely charged and detained; seeks Saudi HR groups’ support

Press Release

29 September 2011

A Filipino migrants’ rights group, in its effort to secure the release and deportation of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) falsely charged and arbitrarily detained for allegedly stealing her employer’s mother underwear, today presses the Philippine diplomatic post in Saudi Arabia to appeal with the host government concerned authorities.

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said the PH embassy in Riyadh should waste no time to file an appeal in behalf of the detained OFW who was falsely charged and arbitrarily detained in Hail central jail, Hail City, in the central region of Saudi Arabia.

OFW Melanie Cordon was accused of stealing her employer’s mother underwear after she insisted that she will go home rather than to continue working like a ‘slave’, being transferred from time-to-time from his employer’s house to another kin’s house, doing numerous household chores.

“As per embassy official, a consular team was already dispatched the other day to look into the case of OFW Cordon. Initial embassy report reaching us is that she was charged of performing ‘witchcraft’ and that the underwear with hair confiscated from her possession is to be used to perform such act, which is strictly prohibited by the host country’s laws,” Monterona quoting an embassy official, who requested not to be named, during phone conversation yesterday.

But Monterona lamented it would be easy for an abusive employer to plant evidences of illegal act or customary prohibitions especially if the migrant worker is under the employer’s absolute domination, such is the case of, not only OFW Cordon, but mostly of foreign domestic workers.

Monterona said OFW Cordon conveyed to her brother Mario, who is in the Philippines, that she never stolen anything from her employer and that all she wanted is to go home.

“We came to know from OFW Cordon that there are other four women OFWs detained in the same cell with her in Hail central jail. All, she claimed, have been accused falsely by their employers and thus were sent to jail,” Monterona added.

Monterona said his group will seek assistance from the National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) and Human Rights First Society (HRFS), Saudi Arabian human rights organizations.

“We will be sending our appeal letter for assistance to the NSHR and HRFS to look into OFW Cordon case and the 4 other OFWs falsely accused and detained in a Saudi jail,” Monterona ended. # # #

For reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966535921228

UAE OFW group presses scrapping of ‘Affidavit of Support’ requirement

Press Release

28 September 2011

UAE OFW group presses scrapping of ‘Affidavit of Support’ requirement

Several Filipino workers group in the United Arab Emirates headed by Dubai-based Migrante chapter vow to intensify its campaign to scrap the ‘Affidavit of Support’ (AoS) as required by the Philippine government to all visiting kin of UAE-based OFWs.

Last year, Migrante-UAE chapter exposed and have conducted series of discussions among the Filipino organizations in Dubai in its bid to oppose the implementation of the requirement ‘Affidavit of Support’ being asked by Philippine Immigration authorities to kin of OFWs visiting the United Arab Emirates.

The ‘Affidavit of Support’ is imposed by the PH govt. supposedly to put an end to human trafficking and deployment of prospective OFWs without passing through recruitment agencies and registration to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).

“This time, we will intensify our campaign to scrap this ‘Affidavit of Support’ requirement which is nothing but a form of legalized ‘kotong’,” said Nhel Morona, Migrante-UAE Secretary-general.

Morona added the Affidavit of Support is a ‘useless document’. "It will not deter human traffickers to continue their illegal activities. It only breeds extortion activities,” he averred.

Morona cited the reports his group received sometime on May 2011 when all passengers on visit visa from Manila to Dubai who boarded a Cathay Pacific flight via Hong Kong were allegedly asked to pay grease money by immigration officials at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

He noted a report about a Filipina nurse, formerly working in Dubai, who was forced to hand out P25,000 (around Dh2,174) allegedly to agents of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in Ninoy Aquino International Airport so she could fly back to Dubai on a visit visa.

Dubai-based Gulf news-online also stated that an OFW engineer bound to Dubai was also forced to provide P28,000 (roughly equivalent to 2,435 dirhams) just to be allowed to proceed on his flight despite presenting an ‘Affidavit of Support’ executed by his cousin which was signed by a Philippine consul in Dubai.

Morona confirmed that their group continuously receiving complaints from fellow OFWs whose kin were victims of extortion gang in NAIA in the pretext of asking the visiting kin to provide an ‘Affidavit of Support’.

On his part, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said they’re studying the legal implication of the ‘Affidavit of Support’ requirement.

“The AoS requirement may violates one’s freedom to travel as guaranteed by the PH Constitution Bill of Rights, unless the authorities could prove that it is on the interest of public safety, public health or as national security concern,” Monterona averred.

Monterona cautioned the PH govt. that the ‘Affidavit of Support’ is not even required by the newly amended Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act or Republic Act No.10022.

“The arbitrary imposition of AoS requirement is condemnable and must be scrap immediately,” Monterona added.

Migrante-UAE’s Morona confirmed “We and other OFWs organizations will have a press conference this week to kick off our campaign calling for the scrapping of the requirement ‘Affidavit of Support’.

The group plans to launch series of discussion among various OFWs groups, petition signing, and mass distribution of leaflets calling for the scrapping of the ‘AoS’.

“The petition and signatures we will gather will be presented to the PH consulate in Dubai and a copy will be sent to Malacanang and members of the Philippine Congress,” Morona concluded. # # #

References:

Nhel Morona

Migrante-UAE Secretary-general

Mobile No.00971 551383097

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No. 00966535921228

OFWs in Yemen looking for PH embassy evacuation teams amid renewed conflict; group urges PH embassy to open hotlines 24/7

Press Release

26 September 2011

As the tension in Yemen escalates due to heightened clashes between government forces and disgruntled Yemeni protesters since the other day, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in strife-torn country are looking for the evacuation teams of the Philippine Embassy so that they could be move out to safer place, according to a Filipino migrants rights group, Migrante-Middle East (M-ME).

M-ME John Leonard Monterona today said he received calls from OFWs who are based in Sanaa and other nearby places asking for the hotline numbers of the PH embassy evacuation teams based in Sanaa.

There is no PH embassy in Yemen. Under the present set-up the PH embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia are providing consular and other services to Filipino workers in the strife-torn country, bordering south of Saudi Arabia.

“There were three calls I just received today from fellow OFWs in Sana’a asking the hotline numbers of the PH evacuation team there as they informed me of their intention go out of Yemin,” Monterona added.

Monterona added that he’s trying to call the PH embassy in Riyadh specifically PH Ambassador-designate Ezzadin Tago, but to no avail, to get the hotline numbers of the evacuation team in Yemen so that he could relay the numbers to the OFWs who are asking assistance for repatriation and get connected with the PH evacuation teams in Sana’a, Yemen.

Monterona urges the PH embassy in Riyadh, which has consular jurisdiction to OFWs in Yemen, to publish and make public its evacuation teams’ hotline numbers so that the OFWs in Yemen could get in touch with them.

“The PH embassy evacuation teams hotline numbers in Yemen must be opened 24/7 and must promptly attend the calls from trapped OFWs in Yemen and arrange for their evacuation and repatriation in compliance to Pres. Aquino’s order the other day to intensify the repatriation of OFWs from Yemen,” Monterona added.

Monterona announced that Sagip-Migrante hotlines are 00966535921228 and 00966564978012, open 24/7 for assistance.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966535921228

Pinay OFW found dead at her apartment in Qatar; 4 OFWs being investigated

Press Release

25 September 2011

A woman overseas Filipino worker (OFW) was found dead at the top of their rented apartment in Doha, Qatar according to the reports received by a Filipino migrants’ right group local chapter.

The Samahan ng mga Migranteng Mangagagawa sa Qatar (SAMMAQA), local chapter of Migrante in Doha, on its report to Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona, said OFW Edilyn Buno Mirasol, 28 years old, from Tagum, Davao City, was found dead at the top of the apartment where she is residing on September 4, 2011 in Doha, Qatar.

OFW Edilyn was deployed last year to work as a secretary cum accountant for a local contracting company in Doha.

“A fellow OFW and flat-mate found her laid back on top of the platform with rope on her neck. The fellow OFW reported to the local police on the same day OFW Edilyn was found dead,” according to Noel Tolentino, SAMMAQA Secretary-general.

Tolentino added that a week after, the OFW who reported the incident to the police and 3 fellow other OFWs -2 of them are flat-mates of OFW Edilyn and a male OFW co-worker - were investigated by the local police.

“The 4 OFWs were invited by the security police in Mogalina, Doha for questioning that started from 6:00pm of Sept. 10 and lasted around 1:00am the following day,” Tolentino added.

Meanwhile, Monterona confirmed that he talked to the OFW who first reported the incident to the police as his wife in Davao sought assistance to them through the Davao-based Center for Overseas Workers (COW). “The OFW who reported the incident complained of beating and manhandling by the local police during the investigation,” he added.

OFW Edilyn’s flat-mates and the OFW who reported the incident were temporarily released, but her male OFW co-worker is now detained as he was the last person seen accompanying OFW Edilyn.

SAMMAQA’s Tolentino and Monterona calls on the PH embassy in Doha to conduct its own investigation and clearly establish the cause of death of OFW Edilyn and the alleged beating and manhandling of OFWs being investigated.

On Saturday, Monterona said M-ME is receiving an average of 2 OFWs ‘mysterious’ deaths every month.

He noted that the past months, Migrante-ME received reports of OFW’s deaths in Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria.

“The most recent are the cases of Janice Joy Pampangan, an OFW from Jordan, and of Juvy Montesoso, an OFW from Kuwait -both remains have just recently repatriated. Their respective kin suspected there was foul play and have asked for reinvestigation,” Monterona added.

Monterona said amid these numerous unsolved OFWs death cases the PH govt. and concerned agencies seem not bothered and until now have done nothing to provide protection to our OFW-domestic workers.

Migrante-ME welcomes the move by Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Manny Villar to investigate these OFWs ‘mysterious’ deaths.

Aside from knowing the status of these cases, Monterona said his group will be pressing the DFA to divulge all unsolved cases of OFWs.  “Most importantly is to know what the PH embassies and consulates have done in providing protection to our OFWs,” Monterona averred.

Monterona noted even with Pres. Aquino’s tall order to provide assistance and protection to OFWs abroad during his inaugural speech last year, concerned govt. agencies such as DFA and its diplomatic posts, DoLE, OWWA and POEA are still in a lull and performed poorly in terms of providing assistance and protection to our OFWs.

Monterona calls on Pres. Aquino III to re-issue his tall order to all concerned govt. agencies to seriously provide assistance and protection to OFWs.

“If they won’t heed on your order then fire them or face the anger of the disgruntled OFWs and their families,” Monterona ended. # # #

References:

-Noel Tolentino

SAMMAQA Secretary-general

Mobile No. 00974 33930687

-John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-ME regional director

Mobile No.00966535921228

Average of at least 2 OFW’s ‘mysterious’ deaths reported every month

Press Release

24 September 2011

  

A Filipino migrants rights group in the Middle East said it is receiving at least two cases of ‘mysterious’ deaths involving overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) every month.

Migrante-Middle East regional director John Leonard Monterona said Sunday that Migrante chapters in the Middle East constantly receiving reports of OFWs who died under questionable and vague circumstances on an average of 2 cases every month.

“The figure is based on the combined reports from our Migrante chapters in the Middle East citing local news reports and from the kin of the OFWs who have sought our assistance,” Monterona added.

Monterona clarified the figure that they’ve got does not include those reported to various Philippine diplomatic posts.

“We are quite certain there were other cases of ‘mysterious’ deaths reported to the PH embassies and consulates and its satellite offices,” Monterona averred.

                  

The Saudi-based OFW leader added that most of the victims are household service workers or popularly known as domestic helpers.

Monterona cited some of these unsolved cases as of last year:

-       OFW Rowena Peremne Arceo, 33, from Cordillera province, mysterious death, died October 22, 2008 in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia; unsolved case.

-       OFW Joy Cabansi Sarto, 28, from Echague, Isabela province, murdered by her Arab employer on Sept.22, 2009; unsolved case.

-       OFW Laura (not her real name), 33, from Ilagan, Isabela, rape victim allegedly took place on Dammam, Saudi Arabia on October 1, 2009; unsolved case.

-       OFW Eugenia Baja, 24, passport holder SS0428627, initial reports said she committed suicide, but based on the autopsy later issued revealed that Baja bore stab wounds and bruises; unsolved case.

-       OFW Clair (not her real name), on her mid-20, from Lagawe, Ifugao, gang raped by Arabs at her employer’s house sometime in Feb.2007; unsolved case

-       OFW Analyn De Pena, 33, from Old Sta. Mesa, Manila allegedly committed suicide sometime in November 2009, but the family believed there is foul play on her death; unsolved case.

-       OFW Marilou Macam Ating, 37, from Lingayen, Pangasinan, sketchy reports reaching the family that subject died after she fell from the fourth floor of her employer’s residence. Family believed there is foul play leading to her death on November 24, 2008; unsolved case.

-       OFW Romilyn Eroy-Ibanez, 22, Kidapawan, Cotabato, was found soaked on her own blood on September 1, 2010 and was rushed to the hospital in Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia. Hours later, she was pronounced dead due to several stab wounds and acid ingestion. Update: no case has been filed yet due to no police reports obtained by the PHL embassy.

-       Based on Migrante chapter in the United Arab Emirates sent to John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator sometime on April 2009, its records showed that from February to August 2009, the Migrante chapter in Dubai has already recorded seven cases of mysterious death. These include cases of OFW Roderick Miranda who reportedly hanged himself on February 4; OFW Norayda Ayuman who reportedly jumped from the 7th floor of a building on February 6; OFW Jeffrey Alberto So who reportedly jumped from the 3rd floor of a building on June 13; and OFW Evelyn Lilo who allegedly jumped from a building on August 10; these cases are considered unsolved.

He noted that the past months, Migrante-ME also received reports of OFW’s deaths in Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria.

“The most recent are the cases of Janice Joy Pampangan, an OFW from Jordan, and of Juvy Montesoso, an OFW from Kuwait -both remains have just recently repatriated. Their respective kin suspected there was foul play and have asked for reinvestigation,” Monterona added.

Monterona said amid these numerous unsolved OFWs death cases the PH govt. and concerned agencies seem not bothered and until now have done nothing to provide protection to our OFW-domestic workers.

“We welcome the move by Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Manny Villar to investigate these OFWs ‘mysterious’ deaths,” Monterona added.

Aside from knowing the status of these cases, Monterona said his group will be pressing the DFA to divulge all unsolved cases of OFWs.

“Most importantly is to know what the PH embassies and consulates have done in providing protection to our OFWs,” Monterona averred.

Monterona noted even with Pres. Aquino’s tall order to provide assistance and protection to OFWs abroad during his inaugural speech last year, concerned govt. agencies such as DFA and its diplomatic posts, DoLE, OWWA and POEA are still in a lull and performed poorly in terms of providing assistance and protection to our OFWs.

“Mr. President, we call on you please to re-issue your tall order to all concerned govt. agencies to seriously provide assistance and protection to our OFWs; if they won’t heed on your order then fire them or face the anger of the disgruntled OFWs and their families,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-ME regional director

Mobile No.00966535921228

OFWs finally leaving Saudi Arabia urged to secure police clearance

Press Release

23 September 2011

Though the requirement is on a case-to-case basis, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who are planning or finally leaving Saudi Arabia is urged to secure police clearance as per the advisory released by the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi’s capital.

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona cited the PH embassy advisory dated September 22, 2011, wherein the PH embassy said it has been receiving numerous requests for police clearance from former OFWs who worked in the oil-rich Kingdom.

“Obtaining a police clearance is a must especially to those (OFWs) who have previously been implicated in any wrong doing or breach of the host government laws, customary and/or immigration-offense related who are still planning to work in other countries not only in the Middle East,” Monterona added.

“Filipinos who used to reside in the Kingdom and are seeking permanent residence or

employment in other countries are often required to submit a police clearance from

countries where they had previously resided,” the embassy stated.

The PH embassy in Riyadh cited the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs circular note No. 94/70/19/373270 dated 3 November 2010 outlining the new procedure to obtain a Saudi police clearance for those who left the Kingdom as follows:

-       The applicant should proceed to his/her country’s embassy in the country of residence

-       The applicant should submit an accomplished request with an accomplished fingerprint form

-       This should be sent to his/her embassy in Saudi Arabia (Riyadh PE), which would endorse the request by Note to the Saudi MFA

-       The MFA then would authenticate the application and accomplishment fingerprint form for endorsement to the concerned local police authorities where the Filipino lived.

-       The Embassy will then submit the authenticated Note Verbale, the SMFA endorsement and the duly-accomplished Fingerprinting Card to the concerned Office of the Director of the Police Department in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for filing and processing.

-       After 1 or 2 months, the Embassy will claim from the concerned police authorities the Police Clearance and send it back to the applicant.

For those who are still working in Saudi Arabia but is about to leave ‘for good’ or for other employment abroad need to secure from the Embassy a Letter of Endorsement addressed to the local Saudi police authorities. Police clearance applicants must bring a copy of passport or certificate of employment.

“The Letter of Endorsement must be authenticated by the Saudi Ministry before presenting it to the local Saudi authorities,” the PH embassy in Riyadh added.

However, Monterona commented that the fees associated to getting a police clearance are too costly.

The fees are, as per PH embassy advisory: Embassy's Notarial fee (SR 100.00), Saudi MFA Authentication Fee (SR 60.00), Saudi Police Clearance Fee (SR 30.00) and Courier (sending/return) – arrangement to be made by applicant with the local courier at country of residence.

Total sum of fees just to get a police clearance is 190 Saudi rial, roughly equivalent to P2,000, excluding Courier cost.

“In the name of public service, the PH embassy should reconsider waiving the SR.100 Notarial fee to unburden our OFWs finally leaving in the Kingdom who might up end jobless in the Philippines,” Monterona added.

“When it comes to fees or charges, the PH embassy, not only in Riyadh also other PH embassies and consulates are active in imposing consular fees. But when it comes to providing assistance to distressed, abused and maltreated OFWs, often they dilly-dally to the point of neglecting the numerous cases of OFWs seeking for their assistance,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No. 00966535921228

OFW in Saudi death row fears for his life

Press Release

21 September 2011

An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who was sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia for killing his landlord conveys fear for his life, according to Filipino migrants’ rights group.

Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said Wednesday on-death row OFW Joselito Zapanta called him from his prison cell at the Malaz Central Jail, in Riyadh, Saudi’s capital.

“OFW Zapanta called me this morning around quarter to 7:00, Saudi time, pleading for assistance and asking to give him update on his case,” Monterona added.

OFW Zapanta, 32 years old, from Mexico, Pampanga, was convicted of murder and robbery and was sentenced to death by the Saudi’s Court of First Instance on April 13, 2010.

He was deployed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to work as a tile setter, for a local construction company. He left his first job due to non-payment of his six months salaries but was able to find another job and rented a room managed by a Sudanese landlord.

OFW Zapanta claimed that he was brutally beaten by his landlord because of his refusal to pay his apartment rental since his payment was not due then. He defended his self and fought back and accidentally killed the Sudanese.

His case is on appeal at the Appellate Court after filling it on May 1, 2010.

“During our conversation, OFW Zapanta told me that he had appeared 20 times in court during hearings, but the last hearing was 6 months ago, sometime on February this year,” Monterona added.

Monterona said that it is understandable that OFW Zapanta raised his fears since the last hearing of his appeal was 6 months ago.

“He asked me update of his case and what’s the reply of the PH govt. to his request for assistance and save him from death. I told him honestly that I could not give him answers, but I will try to discuss this with the PH embassy,” Monterona added.

Monterona said sometime on May 2011, the latest information he got from the PH embassy was an assurance that post have been ‘pursuing all avenues to persuade the family of the victim to enter into an amicable settlement.’

“Since then, we haven’t heard any update from the PH embassy,” he added.

Monterona said they have been urging the PH embassy to seek guidance from the Saudi Reconciliation Committee (SRC), a quasi-government agency which task is to mediate between the aggrieved and offending party.

“We are expecting the PH embassy is continuously dealing with the SRC to mediate and eventually convince the family of the aggrieved party to accept ‘diyyah’ or blood money just like what it accomplished on the case of Rogelio ‘Dondon’ Lanuza wherein the aggrieved party accepted the offer of blood money in exchange of their forgiveness, though the aggrieved party is still awaiting the diyyah,” Monterona ended.

Aside from OFWs Zapanta and Lanuza, there are other 6 OFWs in Saudi death row.  

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966535921228

Four Saudi OFWs detained in similar situation with OFW accused of stealing underwear

Press Release

21 September 2011

There are other four (4) women overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) presently detained at a Saudi jail in similar situation of an OFW who was accused of stealing underwear of her employer’s mother, according to Filipino migrants’ advocacy group.

Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona disclosed that as per the information provided by detained OFW Melanie Cordon, accused of stealing her employer’s mother underwear, there are 4 women OFWs in a prison cell in Hail central jail in Hail City, about 600km away from Riyadh, Saudi’s capital.

“Yesterday, OFW Cordon managed to call, from prison cell, her brother Mario Cordon in the Philippines as she reiterates her plea to help her release from prison and eventually be repatriated,” Monterona adding that he, too, was able to speak with Mr. Cordon yesterday.

Monterona said OFW Cordon conveyed to her brother that there are other four women OFWs detained in Hail central jail.

Migrants in jail are given limited time to call their relatives, thus OFW Cordon was able to talked with her brother.

“The four women OFW inmates alleged that they too, like OFW Cordon, have been charged of illegal act they never committed,” Monterona added.

Monterona said OFW Cordon agreed to get the names of the other 4 inmates next time she could manage to call him or his brother.

“We need to get their names so that we could urge the PH embassy to arrange a jail visit and look into their individual cases and provide legal assistance to them,” Monterona added.

Monterona noted based on their records of cases, oddly, if abused OFWs complained against their employer or insisted to go home after completion of their employment contract and the employer does not want them to go, the latter will resort to filling trump up charges against the former such as stealing, having illicit relations, absconding, and the like.

“Thus, not all OFWs inmates committed wrong doing or have breached the host govt. laws and customary prohibitions. On a ratio, two to 3, out of 5 inmates, are innocents and victim of false charges,” Monterona added.

Meanwhile, an OFW who works as a domestic worker for a Saudi household, also in Hail City, ran away as she could no longer bear the alleged inhumane treatment of her employer.

Monterona, on his case referral to the PH embassy, identified the OFW as Sheirly Deluyas. “Her friend managed to call me and seeks our assistance,” he added.

“As she ran away from her employer yesterday, OFW Deluyas reported to the local police station to seek for assistance. We supposed she is now under police custody,” Monterona added.

“We are expecting prompt reply and action from the PH embassy and labor officials so that she won’t be returned from her employer or better she’ll be repatriated soonest as she sought,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966535921228

OFW group questions PH govt. intention to lift OFWs ban in Iraq

Press Release

20 September 2011

Migrants’ advocacy group, Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) today questions the intention of the Philippine government plan to lift the ban on overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to Iraq after the latter through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) sent a delegation in Iraq that arrived on Monday.

On Monday, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesman Raul Hernandez confirmed that a delegation, headed by DFA Undersecretary Rafael Seguis, had arrived in Iraq to meet ranking officials of the Iraqi government.

The DFA stated that the delegation is tasked to assess the possibility of reopening the PH embassy in Baghdad and the lifting of the ban on the deployment of OFWs to the war-torn country.

Reacting on the plan of the Aquino govt. to lift the ban on OFWs in Iraq, M-ME regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona cautioned the PH govt. saying “it is too early to lift the ban in Iraq, though this is in-line of the labor policy direction of the Aquino administration.”

“Basing on the reports we have been receiving on the ground from our fellow OFWs and linked non-government organizations, the peace and order situation in Iraq is still unstable as sporadic bombings and infightings are occurring,” Monterona said.

Monterona noted that it is because the internal conflict between the US-influenced Iraqi govt. forces and rebel groups is still intense manifested by daily infightings and bombings and encounters even in Baghdad and other major cities in Iraq.

“With such volatile peace and order situation in Iraq and when most of US military forces leaving in Iraq by December, we could almost foresee an escalation of the internal conflict in Iraq, thus lifting the ban on OFWs is not wise under such circumstances,” Monterona averred.

Monterona noted that last month the DFA had stopped marking newly released passports “Not Valid for travel to Iraq”.

“This is in-line with the Aquino govt. plan to eventually lift OFWs deployment ban to Iraq so that it could continue to peddle OFWs labor cheap in clear disregard to OFWs safety and well-being,” he added.

“It is now clearer that the Aquino administration’s labor policy direction is just a continuation of the preceding administration, which intensified the peddling of OFWs by re-exploring labor frontiers abroad even in war-torn countries as it could see pouring of developmental aids from the US and other imperialist countries,” Monterona added.

“By all indications, the Aquino administration, just like the previous administrations, will continue to rely on OFWs remittances sans protection of OFWs well being, rights, and welfare. The Aquino administration is geared to intensify its labor exportation program in its vain attempt to temporarily ease the problem of unemployment and underemployment and at the same time siphoned the billion dollars OFWs remittance that is keeping the economy afloat,” Monterona claimed.

Monterona ended saying: “The intensified labor export program will not solve the problem of unemployment, of OFWs rampant abuses and labor malpractices, of broken OFWs families, as it stirs high the social cost of forced migration.”

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966535921228

Embassy urged to dispatch a consular team to assist OFW DH arbitrarily imprisoned in Saudi Arabia

Press Release

19 September 2011

Embassy urged to dispatch a consular team to assist OFW DH arbitrarily imprisoned in Saudi Arabia

After formally endorsing and informing the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia about the case of a Filipina domestic worker who was arbitrarily arrested and detained for allegedly stealing the unwashed underwear of her employer’s mother, officials of the PH embassy will dispatch a consular team to assist the latter so that she will be freed, according to Filipino migrants rights group Migrante-Middle East (M-ME).

M-ME regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said yesterday he had talked with an official of the PH embassy’s Assistance to the Nationals Section (ANS) about the case of OFW Melanie Cordon incarcerated in Hail central jail, Hail City, 600km from Saudi’s capital Riyadh.

OFW Cordon was accused of her employer’s mother of stealing her underwear when the former insisted that she wants to go home in the Philippines after nearly completing her contract. She complained of inhumane treatment working like a slave serving the entire family members of her employer.

“Vice Consul Roussel Reyes assured me that they will immediately dispatch a consular team to look into her case and will make proper representation with the local authorities,” Monterona said.

Monterona said he had urged the PH embassy official to look deeply into the manner of the arrest and the charge against OFW Cordon as it was flawed. “Hers is a case of arbitrary arrest and illegal detention,” the Saudi-based OFW leader added.

Monterona said the PH embassy and the Department of Foreign Affairs must seriously look into her case and others in similar circumstances who were victim of arbitrary arrest and illegal detention.

“If it requires a filling of a formal diplomatic protest, then the PH govt. must do it and send a clear message to the host govt. that we won’t allow this to happen and will not condone such act,” Monterona averred.

Monterona noted that there are a number of OFWs detained in different Saudi jails, which were victim of trumped up charges and illegally detained. “Not all OFWs inmates committed wrong doing or have breached the host govt. laws and customary prohibition,” he added.

“We will closely coordinate with the PH embassy and will follow her case up to her release and repatriation,” Monterona concluded. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966535921228

Kin shocked, furious upon seeing beloved OFW remains wearing diaper only; family seeks justice

Press Release

18 September 2011

The family of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who ‘mysteriously’ died in Jordan is seeking justice as they are convinced that there was foul play on the death of their beloved OFW after they have seen her remains and had received three (3) death certificates stipulating different dates of her death.

Migrante-Middle East regional director John Leonard Monterona identified the OFW victim as Janice Joy Pampangan, 25 years old, a native of Makilala, Kidapawan, South Cotabato, after her family sought assistance from Migrante local chapter in Davao city.

OFW Pampangan was deployed on September 15, 2005 by a Paranaque-based Almeladi recruitment agency to work as a domestic worker for a Jordanian household.

She signed a two-year contract and successfully completed it 2007, but she was not allowed by her employer to go home despite her plea until her family received the bad news about her death.

On the fact sheet of her case prepared by Migrante-Davao chapter, her kin stipulated that sometime October 2007, OFW Pampangan was able to call them for about twenty to 30 minutes only.

“While talking on the phone, her employer is always on her side thus she could not tell us what her predicament is,” according to the mother of OFW Pampangan as stated on affidavit it submitted to Migrante-Davao.

“Her last call was sometime on November 2008. She is asking to help her get away from her employer as she already completed her contract and had been overstaying,” Monterona citing the affidavit submitted by the victim’s mother.

“Inilapit namin sa DFA ang problema ng anak ko, pero ang tanging sagot lang nila ay ipo-proseso pa. Pabalik-balik kami sa naturang opisina pero wala silang naibigay na sagot (We sought the assistance of the Department of Foreign Affairs regarding my daughter’s predicament, but it just replied to us that her case is under-process. We often followed her case -coming back and forth to that office -but they could not give us an answer),”mother of OFW Pampangan averred.

On June 21, 2010, the family of OFW Pampangan received a text message from Mr. Karim Swelim, her employer, in Jordan informing the family that she died on May 22 and that the cause of her death is brain stroke, and she was diagnosed infected with HIV virus.

“Kami po ang tumawag sa Philippine Consul Francis Mark Hamoy para ipa-alam na namatay na ang anak ko. Sagot ng Consul wala raw sila alam at ibe-verify pa (We called on Philippine Consul Francis Mark Hamoy to inform him of the report on the death of my daughter. The consul replied he is not privy to the report and he will yet to verify it),” the mother of OFW Pampangan added.

On August 24, the DFA confirmed the death of OFW Pampangan when it called the family informing about her death.

On September 13, her remains were repatriated after the family and relatives raised the amount required for repatriating her remains.

“Nakuha namin sya sa airport na diaper lang ang suot (We have received her remains only wearing a diaper),” her mother added.

“The family found out marks on her hands indicating that she was tied by a hard rope. Her finger nails have grown long as well as her armpit hairs nearly reached her elbow and her internal organs shrunk –indications that she was never given food and water for a long time as she was locked up and isolated for a long time,” Monterona added.

Monterona said what is quite suspecting on her case is that there were 3 death certificates issued stipulating different date of her death.

“The first one said she died on June 21, the other June 22, while the third one July 22,” Monterona citing the affidavit issued by the mother and sister of OFW Pampangan.

“Another inconsistency found on the documents sent along with her remains is the date of the autopsy dated May 9, 2010 which took place ahead of her reported date of death which is May 22 as per the text message of her employer to the family in the Philippines,” Monterona added.

Monterona said what is quite alarming is that the PH embassy officials in Jordan did not even bother to question these inconsistencies, which would lead one to doubt the circumstances of her death.

Last week, Monterona said the family of murdered OFW Romilyn Eroy Ibanez complained upon seeing her remains mutilated and burned.

“This time the family of OFW Janice Joy Pampangan cries for justice, among the many other families of OFWs victim of violence, abuses and exploitations. I wonder what the PH govt. and concerned agencies are doing why they could not put a halt and seems are doing nothing, if not too little, to allow these to happen to our fellow OFWs whose only desire is to survive their struggling families and dependents in the Philippines,” Monterona averred.

“Is the PH govt. will remain blind, deaf, and mute on the spate of violence, abuses, and exploitations of our fellow OFWs especially domestic workers in the Middle East? It must initiate a reinvestigation on ‘mysterious’ deaths of OFWs” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No. 00966535921228

Filipina domestic worker convicted on false charge; group calls on PH embassy to work for her immediate release, repatriation

Press Release

16 September 2011

A Filipina domestic worker in Saudi Arabia was convicted on charged of theft that she actually never committed and was tried in absentia, according to Filipino migrants’ right group Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) citing a report from the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC).

M-ME regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said on September 14 he received an electronic mail from the Urgent Appeals Programme unit of the AHRC, a Hong-Kong based human rights group, about the case of OFW Melanie Cordon, a domestic worker in the oil-rich Kingdom.

Monterona, citing AHRC ‘Urgent Appeal’, said OFW Cordon was falsely charged for theft that lead her conviction in trial in absentia.

“OFW Cordon is currently detained at the Hail Main prison, Hail City, central part of Saudi Arabia,” Monterona added.

According to AHRC, OFW Cordon was employed by a Saudi household as a domestic worker but upon her arrival in Saudi Arabia she was informed that she would be working in the house of her employer’s brother as this man's wife had gone through several pregnancies but miscarried with each of them. In June 2011 the couple went on vacation and Melanie was again transferred, this time to the house of the mother of her sponsor-employer.

OFW Cordon was made to work extremely long hours as she had to clean a four storey house. She asked for permission to go home to the Philippines, but the mother of her employer asked her to finish one year of her two year contract which should have fallen on August 7. Additionally she asked her to stay until after Ramadan and then they would let her go home.

OFW Cordon packed her belongings in her employer’s mother house but in July the brother of her sponsor-employer and his wife returned to Saudi and asked OFW Cordon to return to them. OFW Cordon left her sponsor-employer’s mother house but did not take her luggage, only a few items in a plastic bag, the AHRC report stated.

On August 14 at 11pm which should have been the day of her flight from Jeddah to the Philippines, OFW Cordon went to retrieve her luggage from her sponsor-employer’s house.

“However, when she arrived to collect her luggage she found that it had been opened. There was a woman standing behind it and she identified herself as a police woman. OFW Cordon was handcuffed and brought to a nearby police station because her sponsor-employer’s mother had accused her of theft. In OFW Cordon’s absence they had examined her belongings and apparently 'found' unwashed underwear belonging to her sponsor-employer’s mother with a few strands of hair and a picture which Melanie did see,” AHRC Appeals Program unit stated.

OFW Cordon was taken to the Ha'il Main Prison, where she is presently detained.

She was only able to make a phone call after one week and two days in detention on August 24, 2011 at 7 pm to her brother informing him of what had happened.

As per AHRC, citing OFW Cordon’s brother, the judge had entered the cell where she and other prisoners were being held and read out the verdicts to all of the prisoners there. 

The verdict was read stating that OFW Cordon will be jailed for a period of four months to one year.

“This is quite disturbing, although this has been the usual treatment to our fellow OFWs who were falsely accused, OFW Cordon, like many other cases, was never given the opportunity to defend herself and never attend a hearing,” Monterona averred.

Monterona calls on the PH embassy in Riyadh to immediately dispatch a consular team to look into the case of OFW Cordon and provide the needed legal assistance to her and work for her repatriation.

Monterona revealed there are still a quite number of OFW inmates around 120 who have been detained more than their jail term and still awaiting repatriation.

Monterona said he had already endorsed the Urgent Appeal letter made by AHRC to the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and urges other OFW groups to do the same.

“We will closely work with the PH embassy to secure her release so that she will be immediately repatriated,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966535921228