News Release - June 27, 2005

References: Connie Bragas-Regalado, Chairperson, 0927-2157392
Vince Borneo, Information Officer, 0927-7968198

What is happening to OFWs in Lebanon ?

Is the Philippine diplomatic post doing its mandate to protect overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Lebanon ?

Thus queried MIGRANTE Sectoral Party Chairperson Connie Bragas-Regalado on the news reports that ten (10) distressed OFWs, including a domestic helper who was raped and got pregnant, are still seeking government assistance for their plight in Beirut .

"This revelation was brought about by the arrival of OFW Dina Palangre, 35, a native of Passi, Iloilo , who was lucky to return home after eight months of suffering at the hands of her Lebanese employer. We are quite aghast at these developments as justice has not been attained for at least three (3) domestic workers who were killed in Lebanon last year due to the criminal neglect of embassy officials themselves," Bragas-Regalado said.

Louella Montenegro , Catherine Bautista and Luz Pacu-an were all killed by their Lebanese employers in a span of three months last year.

Only former ambassador Ramoncito Mariño was recalled and given a lower post in a different country.

"Palangre identified some of the domestic helpers needing immediate repatriation as Maricel Dema-ala, Monaliza Nodalo, Editha Jabiar, Helen Espiritu, and Quitora Corros - all temporarily sheltered at the Philippine Embassy in Beirut , Lebanon ," Bragas-Regalado said.

"What Charge d' Affaires (CDA) Nestor Padalhin doing in Beirut ? The Philippine government knows fully well that Lebanese employers treat OFWs like animals, made to work more than ten hours without sufficient food and not paid their salaries. Despite the non-existence of social and labor accords to protect OFWs, the current administration continues to deploy OFWs to Lebanon in violation of Republic Act 8042 or the Migrants' Act of 1995," Bragas-Regalado said.

OFWs also suffer violations of their rights as foreign workers, rape and other forms of abuse. There are at least 30,000 OFWs in Lebanon .
 
"This just shows that Philippine diplomatic officials in Lebanon , and the Macapagal-Arroyo administration for that matter, ceaselessly violates laws and neglects OFWs in distress," Bragas-Regalado ended. #