Filipino Expats Qatar

News Release
Feb. 19, 2008

Migrante ME pushes investigation on Stranded OFWs’ situation in Jeddah; Arroyo admin., RP Consul liable

An alliance of overseas Filipino workers organizations in the Middle East vow to push for an investigation on the deplorable conditions of stranded OFWs that opted for legal deportation and those who are still at al-Khandara District Bridge in Jeddah.

“After receiving information direct from the stranded OFWs that accepted the legal process offered by RP Consul Ezzadin Tago on their worsening conditions inside the deportation center in Jeddah, Migrante will push for its inclusion in the February 27 scheduled hearing by the Senate Labor Committee headed by Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Senate Resolutions No. 248 filed by Senate Pres. Manuel Villar,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante Middle East regional coordinator.

Sen. Pres. Manny Villar’s resolution no. 248 seek to impose penalties on Philippine Consular Officials and other government personnel assigned to Overseas Posts for failure to act on complaints or give assistance and or render services to migrant workers.

Migrante said that their Chapter in Jeddah received short messages from one of the 24 stranded OFWs who were brought in the deportation center as they have opted the legal process of deportation offered by RP Consul Ezzadin Tago; but complaining about their worsening situation as some of them are now sick with cough due to cold and there is not enough medicines to take and food are so scarce that others were fighting just to get their share.

Migrante showed below some of the text messages sent to our Migrante-KSA Chairperson Andrew M. Ociones by one of the stranded OFW inside the deportation center:

“Nandito po ako s deportation. Ako c a.e. S gusali n # 1 ay 66 kming pinoy. Mrmi s amin my ubo, s gabi, 2 o tatlo my fever. Vgay help consulate.. Qlang.”

“Meron, vgay cla gamot pero qlang. 2box n expectont capsule. N involve n kmi sa away, laban ibang lahi. Cge bye bye n me pulis.”

“They (24 stranded OFWs) submitted themselves for a legal process because of the very promised of Consul Tago that they will be deported as “soon as possible” and they would be taken care inside the deportation center while waiting for their flight schedule,” said Andrew M. Ociones, Migrante-KSA Chairperson.

13 Stranded OFWs handcuffed and sent to Riyadh

Migrante Saudi Arabia also expressed fears for the safety and well-being of 13 of the 24 who signed the 'legal deportation' procedure initiated by ConGen Tago who are travelling to Riyadh in handcuffs, as of this writing.

In a conversation with Ociones, James Malasig, one of the 13 being transported to the audi capital expressed apprehension over their situation.

"Pakitulungan na lang po kami, kasi hindi namin alam kung saan kami dadalhin pagdating namin sa Riyadh ," Malasig said as he appealed for prayers and support. "Isa pa, nakaposas po kami."

"Wala naman ito sa usapan noon," Malasig added referring to the terms they agreed with ConGen Tago before they accepted the so-called 'due process.'

Antonio Eugenio, who came from the original group of 88 who trooped to the Philippine Consulate and was the first to agree to Tago's 'legal deportation process' also expressed doubts saying "Siguro dito sa Riyadh kami isasakay, pero bakit kami nakaposas?"

As of this writing, OFWs Malasig, Eugenio and the other 11 Filipinos with them were brought at a 8x15 meters room in Riyadh Deportation Facility along with not less than 100 other nationalities, where they can't sit and even stretch their tired bodies.

"We sure hope that Malasig, Eugenio and the other 11 OFWs would be sent home through Riyadh, because it is common knowledge that there are more out-going flights and the bulk of deportation comes from Jeddah," Ociones adds further.

Migrante’s Monterona lambasted Consul Tago on making false promises to the stranded OFWs, especially to those who have chosen the “legal process” of deportation.

“Consul Tago and DFA Under Secretary Rafael Seguis brilliantly duped the stranded OFWs by promising them like giving “heaven and earth” so that the increasing numbers of stranded and distressed OFWs in Jeddah will be kept from the public eye inside the deportation center, while claiming that their office is doing good and taking care of the stranded OFWs,” Monterona added.

“What they (Consul Tago and Sec. Seguis, the Arroyo administration) didn’t realize is the fact that these stranded OFWs, though are now in the deportation center are still at their responsibilities and care. Thus, whatever happens to these 24 OFWs in deportation and 72 in al-Khandara District Bridge in Jeddah as well, they must pay dearly to these OFWs, their families and the Filipino people, in general,” Monterona said.

“We are urging the honorable members of the Senate to include in the scheduled hearing on Senate Resolution No. 248 on February 27 the investigation on the deplorable condition of the stranded OFWs in Jeddah to immediately send a diplomatic letter requesting the Saudi Government to treat our stranded OFWs humanely and respect on their rights,” Monterona ended. # # #

For References:

Andrew M. Ociones

Migrante-KSA Chairperson

Mobile No.: 0966 566 79 3202

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante Middle-East Regional Coordinator

Mobile No.:0966 564 97 8012