AUGUST 6, 2011

NR # 2487

Solons seek immediate repatriation of pardoned OFWs

Lawmakers today urged concerned government agencies to facilitate the immediate repatriation of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who were released from jails abroad after serving their sentences. While the Philippine government provides all possible assistance to those who are still serving their sentences in various jails abroad, we must also help those who have served their sentence and who have been pardoned in their host countries and are now eligible to get out of prison, said Reps. Luzviminda Ilagan (Party-list, Gabriela). Ilagan and Rep. Emmi de Jesus (Party-list, Gabriela) are the authors of House Resolution 1428, which directs the Committees on Foreign Affairs and on Overseas Workers Affairs to conduct an inquiry on the situation of OFWs who have served their jail terms or have been pardon. Ilagan said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) should act as the leading agency in the repatriation proceedings in coordination with other concerned agencies. Migrante International reported that a total of 330 OFWs have either served their sentences or have been pardoned for different violations in Saudi Arabia, Africa, United Arab Emirates, Syria, Malaysia, Kuwait, Iran Hong Kong, Thailand and Bangkok. According to Ilagan, these OFWs have been convicted of various crimes including theft, possession of illegal drugs and other drug-related cases, selling liquor, immorality, illegal fishing, forgery, prostitution and human trafficking. Ilagan said aside from the relatives of the OFWs and some individuals and concerned groups, only the Philippine embassy officials are allowed to work on the documentary requirements for the release of the jailed OFWs. With the exception of a few whose families can afford to pay for the expenses entailed by working on the required documents, the jailed OFWs have no choice but to remain in prison as they could not afford to pay the necessary expenses without assistance from Philippine embassy officials, Ilagan said. Each day of delay in the release of the jailed OFWs is a day of justice denied to each one of them, Ilagan added. (30) mmr