BY PATERNO ESMAQUEL II
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BACK HOME. Some of the 30 repatriated Filipino workers arrive at the Manila International Airport on Nov 4, 2013. Photo by AFP/Jay Directo
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday, November 5, said it wants to consult the woman who exposed the alleged abuse of Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia.
In a press briefing, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said the DFA is “checking this very quickly.”
He noted that the Philippine government has teams that “make the rounds of detention cells and police stations” in Saudi, but have not seen abuses against Filipinos.
“There is no report as articulated by a lady who has come home, to say that they were crowded in a detention cell and they were actually chained. We did not see that, and that's why we are looking to talk to this lady. We are seeking her out, so she can provide us information, and we can validate it,” Del Rosario said. (Watch more in the video below.)
The overseas workers' group Migrante, for its part, on Tuesday urged the government "to study the filing of a diplomatic protest" over the alleged abuse.
Migrante coordinator John Leonard Monterona said the claim "should be taken seriously."
On Monday, November 4, Filipino workers expelled from Saudi Arabia alleged they were abused amid a crackdown on illegal migrants there. (READ: Filipinos allege abuse in Saudi immigration crackdown)
A report by Agence France-Presse quoted at least two women who recounted the alleged abuse.
“They treated us like animals,” said Amor Roxas, a 46-year-old domestic worker, who burst in tears while narrating her ordeal.
She claimed Saudi police rounded them up and placed them in a crowded cell for 4 days before they were paraded from the immigration center to the airport.
“Our feet were chained,” added Yvonne Montefeo, 32, in between sobs.
Saudi began a crackdown on illegal workers after an extended grace period lapsed last Sunday, November 3.
During Tuesday's press briefing, Del Rosario blamed the “indecision” of illegal overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) after the government failed to repatriate them before the deadline that Saudi Arabia set. (READ:OFWs' indecision blamed for delayed return from Saudi)
He also said the Saudi government's sluggish process worsened the problem. (Watch more in the video below.)
“I think you have to say that it's a process, and you have to undergo the whole process to be repatriated, and that's what takes a long time. And contributing to the delay of the repatriation is the indecision of our own people,” Del Rosario explained.
– with reports from Agence France-Presse/Rappler.com
To watch video go to http://www.rappler.com/nation/42971-dfa-ofw-abuse-saudi-crackdown
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