A Repost From AP (Associated Press)

Filipino sailor dead in ship attacked by pirates

AP – Tue, May 17, 2011

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The Philippines says a Filipino seafarer has been found dead on a ship that was attacked by pirates at anchor in the West African nation of Benin.

The Philippine foreign affairs department says it's not clear how Christopher Cortez Ceprado died or if the pirates were responsible.

It says he was found dead last Wednesday, four days after pirates robbed the chemical tanker MT Sea King and its 17 Filipino crewmen in the port of Benin's main city, Cotonou. The other crewmen were not harmed.

The department said Tuesday the Philippine Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria, is coordinating with Benin authorities in investigating the death.

Filipino sailors make up a third of the world's 1.2 million merchant seafarers.

Reposted From AP (Associated Press)

Reposted From Dennis Carcamo of Philstar.com

Jailed OFWs in KSA hit Phl embassy over slow action on release

PhilStar – Tue, Apr 26, 2011 12:44 PM PHT

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MANILA, Philippines - Jailed overseas Filipinos workers in Saudi Arabia have expressed dismay over the snail-paced action by the Philippine embassy on their release and repatriation in connection with the royal pardon issued last February.

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Monterona said they have been receiving texts messages and calls from these OFWs, saying they have already served their sentences but embassy officials have not started processing their release.

"Gusto na ho naming lumaya. Hirap na ho kami dito at saka hirap na din ang aming pamilya sa Pilipinas. Nakakasama ho ng loob dahil mga ibang lahi, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India at iba pa, maraming na-basamat (clearance) na sa kanila, bakit ho kami hanggang ngayon walang pang katiyakan ang paglaya?" Monterona said quoting one of the text messages he got from a jailed OFW.

Monterona said there are over 200 OFWs at the Malaz central jail, while an undisclosed numbers of OFWs are detained at the Al-Hair jail.

"I could well understand the feeling of disappointment among these OFW inmates who have claimed they have already completed their respective jail term. Even without the granting of royal pardon, they should be released and repatriated based on the facts that they have successfully completed their jail term," he said.

Monterona added that the granting of royal pardon raises hopes among the OFW inmates that they will be freed and be re-united with their families in the Philippines. - By Dennis Carcamo (Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com)

Reposted From Dennis Carcamo of Philstar.com

A Repost From SPOT

Banco Filipino depositor allegedly commits suicide over closed bank's financial woes

SPOT – Wed, Apr 13, 2011 5:45 PM PHT

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(SPOT.ph) Banco Filipino depositor Carmino Mangubat Jr. allegedly committed suicide yesterday and left a supposed suicide note blaming the recent closure of the bank, reports GMA News Online.

The police found Mangubat with the letter and a nine-millimeter handgun inside an abandoned house in Las Piñas, reports ABS-CBN News. The note reportedly said, "Nasira ang buhay ko dahil sa away ng BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) at BF. Pagod na ako, 'di makakain at 'di makatulog. Paalam at patawad po." ("The conflict between the BSP and Banco Filipino ruined my life. I'm tired; I can neither eat nor sleep. Goodbye. I'm sorry.")

Citing Mangubat's relatives, Senior Superintendent Romulo Sapitula told radio dzBB that Mangubat had around P200,000 deposited in Banco Filipino. "Pero karaniwang tao lang ito kaya malaki ito para sa kanya (But it is a huge amount for an ordinary person like him)," GMA News Online quoted him as saying.

The police are also looking into foul play as the cause of Mangubat's death despite initial findings showing it was a suicide case, Sapitula told radio dzBB.

Last month, the BSP closed Banco Filipino, saying its liabilities topped its assets by P8.4 billion, which the latter denied, according to GMA News Online.

Reposted From SPOT

A Repost From Manila Bulletin

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Saudi stops hiring domestics; strict labor requirements cited

MB – Mon, Mar 28, 2011 7:42 PM PHT

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MANILA, Philippines - The Saudi Arabian government has stopped hiring Filipino domestic helpers, citing the strict requirements imposed by the Philippine labor office.

''For one is the requirement asked by the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices in Saudi Arabia requiring employers to submit a detailed sketch of their house address before a job order could be approved, the aim of which is to pinpoint exactly whose household our OFW (overseas Filipino workers) is working for and that she could easily be traced and rescued in case she has been a victim of abuse and maltreatment,'' Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said in a statement issued Monday.

The Saudi government recently issued a ''Note Verbale'' to the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh saying ''processing and verification of household service workers have been stopped until further notice.''

According to Monterona, prospective Saudi employers convey their opposition to the Saudi National Recruitment Committee (Sanarcom), an organization of recruitment agents, on the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) requirement sometime on January.

''In fact, the Sanarcom had written the Philippine embassy and POLO in Riyadh expressing their opposition to this policy and threatened to stop hiring OFW-DH (OFW-domestic helpers) if this will be made as a requirement as it violates Saudi employers rights to privacy as stated on the host government's local laws,'' the OFW leader pointed out.

A report by the House of Representatives baring supposed abuses by Saudi nationals was also cited as a reason for the ban.

As this developed, Monterona is urging the Philippine government through the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) to consider sending a high-level labor diplomatic team to discuss with its counterpart the ban imposed by the host government and negotiate taking into account the OFWs well being, rights, and welfare.

Last month, the Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs (COWA), chaired by Rep. Walden Bello, recommended to the Philippine government the immediate decertification of Saudi Arabia as it noted that the country is unfit to receive Filipino domestic workers.

According to Bello, continuing to send Filipino domestic workers to Saudi Arabia is like ''selling them to virtual slavery in households where rape, sexual abuse, and physical attacks are rampant.''

Bello pointed out that until such time that the Saudi government accepts the responsibility of policing their nationals and protecting the rights, and ensuring the welfare of household service workers, ''it is incumbent upon the government to suspend the deployment of Filipinas to Saudi Arabia.''

Monterona said the move by the Saudi government to stop the hiring of overseas Filipino domestic workers exposes the dilemma of the Philippine government's ''lucrative business of peddling its cheap human labor sans protection of their well-being, rights, and welfare.'' (Roy C. Mabasa)

Reposted From Manila Bulletin

A Repost From Leslie Ann G. Aquino and Ellson A. Quismorio of Manila Bulletin

Doomed Filipinos meet families for the last time

MB – Mon, Mar 28, 2011 7:34 PM PHT

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MANILA, Philippines - Three Filipinos scheduled to be executed Wednesday, March 30, 2011, after they were sentenced to death for drug trafficking will have the chance to meet their respective families for the last time on the day of their execution.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the families of Sally Ordinario Villanueva and Ramon Credo arrived in Beijing Sunday while the relatives of Elizabeth Batain are expected to be there Tuesday.

Reports said Villanueva's relatives carried with them a letter to Chinese President Hu Jintao, which they hope to personally deliver, appealing for clemency in behalf of the three Filipinos.

DFA Spokesman Ed Malaya said that based on the advice they received, the sentence will be carried out early Wednesday.

''If China will announce a lastminute change of heart, it will likely do so through our embassy in Beijing. That is the speediest way,'' Malaya said in a radio interview.

Credo and Villanueva will be executed in Xiamen. On the other hand, Batain's execution will be carried out in Shenzhen.

The Supreme People's Court of China affirmed the death sentences of the three Filipinos last February 11 for drug trafficking. The executions were originally scheduled last Feb. 20 and 21, but it was put on hold following Vice President Jejomar Binay's humanitarian mission to Beijing.

Chinese Embassy Spokesman Ethan Sun told the Manila Bulletin earlier that discussions are already undergoing for the remains of Credo, Villanueva, and Batain to be brought home after the death sentences have been carried out.

''The release of the remains of (the executed) foreign nationals is usually doable,'' Sun said. ''I think that the detailed arrangements would be consulted among the Philippine diplomatic missions and the related Chinese authorities.''

Based on the Criminal Procedure Law of China Article 212, the judicial officer directing the execution shall verify the identity of the criminal, ask him if he has any last words or letters, and then deliver him to the executioner for the execution of the death sentence.

Execution of the death sentences shall be announced but shall not be held in public. After a death sentence is executed, the People's Court that caused the death sentence to be executed shall notify the family members of the criminal.

After the carrying out of the sentence, the next of kin have two options for the disposition of the remains of the individual - the cremation of the remains, and its return or repatriation to the habitual place of residence, particularly if a foreign national.

If the criminal is a foreign national, the shipment may take weeks after the carrying out of the sentence.

In some areas of China, there is no specific execution ground.

A scout team chooses a place in advance to serve as the execution ground.

In such case, the execution ground normally will have three perimeters: the innermost 50 meters is the responsibility of the execution team; the 200 meter radius from the center is the responsibility of the People's Armed Police; and the 2-kilometer alert line is the responsibility of the local police.

The public is generally not allowed to view the execution.

Meanwhile, a high ranking DFA official downplayed the claims made by Jason, the brother of Villanueva, that he was advised by another DFA official for him to penetrate the drug syndicate ring in the hopes of proving the innocence of his sister.

''No one in his right mind, much less an official of the DFA, would give such an advice,'' the DFA source told Manila Bulletin.

Slim chance

Meanwhile, Vice President Jejomar Binay reckoned that the affidavit executed by Sally naming her recruiter as the source of the drugs she carried to China shows that she was merely used by a drug syndicate and therefore does not deserve the death penalty.

''We hope and pray that her affidavit would be considered. We do not condone drug trafficking, but in Sally's case, her recruiter clearly took advantage of her trusting nature,'' Binay said Monday.

The Vice President noted that under Chinese law, the severest form of penalty is given to leaders of drug syndicates, and allows leniency for those in lower positions.

''This is the basis for our appeal to China. These drug syndicates took advantage of the economic difficulties of our kababayan (countrymen),'' added Binay, who is the Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers' (OFW) concerns.

In an affidavit from Xiamen, Villanueva, 32, said one Mapet Cortez alias ''Tita Cacayan,'' whom she originally met in Macau, befriended her and offered her a job of carrying mobile phones from China to be sold in the Philippines. Jobless at that time and trusting her friend, Villanueva accepted the offer and processed her documents with a travel agency.

On December 22, 2008, Cortez called Villanueva telling the latter that her flight to China was ready. Villanueva was to fly to Xiamen from Manila via China Southern Airlines flight CZ378 after two days.

Cortez provided Villanueva with a seemingly empty silver-grey suitcase that the latter used for her travel. Cortez gave her $500 pocket money and the name and phone number of the person she needed to contact in China. Cortez also told her that she would earn P25,000 monthly if she would be able to get in touch with the said contact person.

Upon arrival in Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, Villanueva was arrested by Chinese Customs agents after they discovered two bags of white powder weighing 4,110 stuffed inside the silver-grey suitcase from Cortez.

Prayer vigil

The Catholic Church will hold a prayer vigil Tuesday for the three overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) set for execution in China.

The prayer vigil, which will start with a mass at 6 p.m. at the Nuestra Senora de Guia Parish Shrine in Ermita, Manila, will be spearheaded by Fr. Edwin Corros, executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People and the Archdiocese of Manila's Ministry for Migrants.

After the mass, there will be a recitation of the rosary until 8 p.m.

Over the weekend, Jesus is Lord (JIL) leader Bro. Eddie Villanueva also called on all Christian churches to pray for the granting of clemency to the three Filipinos. (With reports from Leslie Ann G. Aquino and Ellson A. Quismorio)

Reposted From Leslie Ann G. Aquino and Ellson A. Quismorio of Manila Bulletin

A Repost From GMA News.TV

Palace keeping hopes alive for 3 drug mules in China

03/26/2011 | 12:21 PM

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With just days to go before China executes three Filipino drug mules, Malacañang remains hopeful a last-minute miracle will spare the three from state-sanctioned deaths.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda on Saturday said the Philippine government is maintaining communications with the Chinese Foreign Ministry on the case of the three.

“As President Benigno Aquino III said, we are hopeful. We maintain communications with the China, although we know there is a limit to what we can do. But as Vice President Jejomar Binay had said, we have the right to hope as long as the executions have not happened," Lacierda said on government-run dzRB radio.

Last Wednesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs said the Chinese government will execute Elizabeth Batain, Sally Villanueva, and Ramon Credo on March 30, a month after China agreed to stay their executions following Binay's visit to Beijing to appeal their case.

The three were caught separately bringing drugs into China in 2008.

But amid the looming executions, Binay on Friday said appeals are still ongoing.

On the other hand, Malacañang admitted it is not sure if the three – or their families – will be entitled to government benefits.

Lacierda said the three will have to be members of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) before they are entitled to benefits.

“My understanding is that the OWWA was established to help documented overseas workers. If they are not documented, the Department of Foreign Affairs will assist them. We will have to determine if they are documented," he said. — LBG, GMA News

Reposted From GMA News.TV

A Repost From GMA News.TV

Pinay DH na may kanser sa Jeddah, humihingi ng tulong

03/03/2011 | 08:03 PM

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JEDDAH – Isang 59-anyos na domestic helper (DH) ang nanawagan ng tulong upang maipagamot ang kanyang sakit na breast cancer at makauwi na sa Pilipinas para makapiling muli ang kanyang pamilya.

Si Maria Socorro San Jose, tubong Bulacan, ay 20 taong ng nagtatrabaho bilang DH sa Saudi Arabia. Noong Hunyo 2010 ay natuklasan ang kanyang stage 3 breast cancer.

Dahil sa maselang karamdaman, nais ni San Jose na maituloy ang pagpapagamot at makabalik na sa Pilipinas para makasama ang kanyang pamilya na matagal na niyang hindi nakikita.

Ayon kay San Jose naging mabait naman sa kanya ang kanyang amo na tumulong para maoperahan siya at maalis ang bukol sa dibdib.

Makaraan ang operasyon ay kailangan pa rin siyang sumalang sa chemotherapy. Ngunit malaki umano ang gastusin sa naturang pagpapagamot at wala na siyang pangtustos.

Nahihiya na umano si San Jose na lumapit at humingi ng tulong sa kanyang amo dahil malaki na ang nagastos nito sa kanyang operasyon.

Kailangan pa umano ni San Jose na dumaan sa dalawang session ng chemotherapy na tinatayang aabutin ng 14,000 Saudi Riyals ang halaga ng bawat session.

“Tulungan niyo po ako. Gusto ko pang mabuhay at makauwi ng Pilipinas para makapiling ang aking pamilya," panawagan ni San Jose na maaaring makaugnayan sa 0551021307. – GMA News
Reposted From GMA News.TV