by Maria Aleta Nieva Nishimori, ABS-CBNnews.com
Posted at 06/24/2013 4:08 PM | Updated as of 06/24/2013 5:53 PM
MANILA, Philippines – One of the three overseas Filipino workers' allegations of sexual harassment, molestation and abuse of authority has been confirmed, according to Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario.
In a press conference, del Rosario said some of the allegations were confirmed during the weekend consultations and fact-finding meetings between the Department of Foreign Affairs and the 13 heads of posts it ordered to return home to shed light on accusations of sex-related incidents experienced by distressed Pinay workers.
"Certain allegations were confirmed. And this was accomplished by the three witnesses from Riyadh coming forward and providing us their testimony," he said.
Del Rosario was referring to the three Pinay workers from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia who accused an official of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) of making lewd comments and offers while they were still housed at the Filipino Workers Resource Center.
Del Rosario said that individual involved is an official of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). "As of today, he has been recalled and he would be investigated when he arrives," he said.
Congressman Walden Bello brought the issue of the 'sex-for-flight' scheme and the alleged operations of prostitution rings in Jordan, Syria and Kuwait to the public. He named three embassy and POLO officials who exploited distressed OFWs by offering them return tickets in exchange for sex or prostituting them.
However, del Rosario said the prostitution ring allegations were not confirmed during the meetings with the heads of posts.
"Unless there are people who come forward, the allegations will remain as allegations. In at least one instance or one location where this sex ring is being alleged, the head of post has not heard of it. When we mentioned it, it was to him a new allegation," he said.
Despite this, the department is still looking at other alleged offenders.
"We have submitted a list of names and recommended actions to be taken against them. This I discussed with Cong. Bello and with Atty. Lea Fortuna and I also have been keeping the president informed of the developments. By the end of the day I expect to send him an expanded report on this," he said.
The DFA hopes more victims and witnesses will come forward and is committed to investigate those involved in the allegations.
"We hope that we can convince them to do this not only to help themselves, but to help others like themselves who had been taken advantage of," he said.
Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/06/24/13/allegations-one-3-pinays-confirmed-dfa
In a press conference, del Rosario said some of the allegations were confirmed during the weekend consultations and fact-finding meetings between the Department of Foreign Affairs and the 13 heads of posts it ordered to return home to shed light on accusations of sex-related incidents experienced by distressed Pinay workers.
"Certain allegations were confirmed. And this was accomplished by the three witnesses from Riyadh coming forward and providing us their testimony," he said.
Del Rosario was referring to the three Pinay workers from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia who accused an official of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) of making lewd comments and offers while they were still housed at the Filipino Workers Resource Center.
Del Rosario said that individual involved is an official of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). "As of today, he has been recalled and he would be investigated when he arrives," he said.
Congressman Walden Bello brought the issue of the 'sex-for-flight' scheme and the alleged operations of prostitution rings in Jordan, Syria and Kuwait to the public. He named three embassy and POLO officials who exploited distressed OFWs by offering them return tickets in exchange for sex or prostituting them.
However, del Rosario said the prostitution ring allegations were not confirmed during the meetings with the heads of posts.
"Unless there are people who come forward, the allegations will remain as allegations. In at least one instance or one location where this sex ring is being alleged, the head of post has not heard of it. When we mentioned it, it was to him a new allegation," he said.
Despite this, the department is still looking at other alleged offenders.
"We have submitted a list of names and recommended actions to be taken against them. This I discussed with Cong. Bello and with Atty. Lea Fortuna and I also have been keeping the president informed of the developments. By the end of the day I expect to send him an expanded report on this," he said.
The DFA hopes more victims and witnesses will come forward and is committed to investigate those involved in the allegations.
"We hope that we can convince them to do this not only to help themselves, but to help others like themselves who had been taken advantage of," he said.
Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/06/24/13/allegations-one-3-pinays-confirmed-dfa
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