ABS-CBNnews.com
Posted at 06/23/2013 8:42 PM | Updated as of 06/23/2013 11:17 PM
MANILA -- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) finished on Sunday its consultations with 13 heads of posts in the Middle East and North Africa, with the end goal of strengthening intelligence and preventive measures against sex trade schemes.
In a statement released late Sunday, the DFA said: “The consultations aimed at gathering more information on the alleged inappropriate and criminal behavior of certain personnel for the purpose of validating the allegations which could lead to the application of punitive measures as well as to identify preventive and corrective measures.”
The heads of posts were summoned late last week amid the sex-for-flight scheme revealed by Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello involving embassy officials who have allegedly been abusing distressed overseas Filipino workers.
The DFA said several recommendations were gathered, including immediate measures such as the termination of local hires and recall of individuals for investigation. These measures, however, have yet to be taken up with concerned stakeholders.
The heads of the posts also recommended a review of existing rules and standard operating procedures governing the overall management of the Filipino Workers Resource Center (FWRC), as well as capacity-building for Foreign Service Posts to effectively handle sex-related offenses.
They also sought to have a stronger inter-agency cooperation as well as an effective implementation of the One-Country Team Approach.
“Of great import were re-orientation lectures encompassing Gender Sensitivity and Development conducted by Atty. Amparita Sta. Maria of the Ateneo Human Rights Center, and Sexual Harassment and “Sextortion” by well-known advocate for women's and children's rights Atty. Katrina Legarda,” the DFA said.
Bello and the head of the Department of Labor and Employment fact-finding team, Atty. Leah Fortuna, also participated in the fact-finding exercise.
“The DFA, in close coordination with other government agencies, will tirelessly pursue every effort to protect all Filipinos overseas,” the DFA said.
Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/06/23/13/dfa-envoys-boost-intelligence-vs-sex-trade-scheme
In a statement released late Sunday, the DFA said: “The consultations aimed at gathering more information on the alleged inappropriate and criminal behavior of certain personnel for the purpose of validating the allegations which could lead to the application of punitive measures as well as to identify preventive and corrective measures.”
The heads of posts were summoned late last week amid the sex-for-flight scheme revealed by Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello involving embassy officials who have allegedly been abusing distressed overseas Filipino workers.
The DFA said several recommendations were gathered, including immediate measures such as the termination of local hires and recall of individuals for investigation. These measures, however, have yet to be taken up with concerned stakeholders.
The heads of the posts also recommended a review of existing rules and standard operating procedures governing the overall management of the Filipino Workers Resource Center (FWRC), as well as capacity-building for Foreign Service Posts to effectively handle sex-related offenses.
They also sought to have a stronger inter-agency cooperation as well as an effective implementation of the One-Country Team Approach.
“Of great import were re-orientation lectures encompassing Gender Sensitivity and Development conducted by Atty. Amparita Sta. Maria of the Ateneo Human Rights Center, and Sexual Harassment and “Sextortion” by well-known advocate for women's and children's rights Atty. Katrina Legarda,” the DFA said.
Bello and the head of the Department of Labor and Employment fact-finding team, Atty. Leah Fortuna, also participated in the fact-finding exercise.
“The DFA, in close coordination with other government agencies, will tirelessly pursue every effort to protect all Filipinos overseas,” the DFA said.
Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/06/23/13/dfa-envoys-boost-intelligence-vs-sex-trade-scheme
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