STATEMENT - 28 January 2004

The Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM) , a regional migrant institution based in Hong Kong strongly condemns the brutal and violent dispersal of members and supporters of MIGRANTE International who staged a protest demonstration and camp-in in front of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) main office in Pasay City by gun-toting police personnel under the supervision of Police Senior Superintendent Oscar Catalan. The dispersal was reportedly ordered by OWWA Administrator Virgilio Angelo.

Likewise, we condemn the arrest of leaders and members of MIGRANTE International.

The protesters are demanding for the immediate repatriation of 16 stranded Filipino migrants in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Those who joined the protest action were families of the 16 stranded Filipinos in Saudi Arabia. They have been longing to be reunited with their family members who are stranded in Riyadh for months.

Instead they were violently dispersed and some members of MIGRANTE International were arrested and injured during the dispersal.

We call on Mayor Peewee Trinidad of Pasay City to conduct an immediate investigation on the incident and persecute those who were involved in this brutal police action.

We demand justice!

We demand for the immediate repatriation of stranded workers in Saudi Arabia!

Respect the rights of migrant workers!

Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants
- 28 January 2004