Manila summons envoys in Mideast over OFW abuse scandal

Allegations about some Philippine diplomats in the Middle East sexually exploiting their stranded women compatriots have provoked indignation among overseas Filipinos.
Many of them are urging lawmakers in Manila to expand their probe, saying that the alleged scandal is much wider than the picture drawn by Rep. Walden Bello in his exposé on Wednesday.
Bello named at least three diplomats in Jordan, Syria and Kuwait who were allegedly soliciting sexual favors from stranded Filipino women in exchange for a flight home, or were using the women for prostitution.
Bello identified the “three predators” as a certain Mr. Kim, who is based in Damascus, Syria; Assistant Labor Attache Mario Antonio of Amman, Jordan; and Blas Marquez, an officer of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Kuwait.
Following Bello’s exposé, Foreign Secretary Albert Del Rosario summoned the ambassadors to Jordan, Syria and Kuwait and the officials linked to the alleged crimes.
Del Rosario said yesterday he also called the Philippine envoys to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt, Libya and Lebanon for consultations
“To be as thorough as possible in addressing the issue on the alleged sex-related offenses, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario has instructed the ambassadors of 11 of our embassies in the Middle East (including the three earlier called home) to come home immediately for consultations and to discuss related issues,” DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez told Manila media.
“We need to have our ambassadors participate in the fact-finding initiatives that the DFA has started, we need to find ways to collectively encourage victims and witnesses to come forward and submit formal complaints and testimonies,” he said.
Arab News tried but failed to contact the Philippine ambassador to Riyadh, Ezzedin Tago, for comment.
John Leonard Monterona, coordinator of the migrant worker advocacy group Migrante in the Middle East and North Africa, said a number of OFW women in Saudi Arabia allegedly abused by some of their own representatives are willing to come forward and file their own complaint if they are assured of protection.
“Today, an OFW victim along with two others conveyed to us that they will issue an affidavit and will file a complaint if Philippine authorities could assure their safety and provide security on their return to the Philippines,” said Monterona.
Jon Improgo, another Filipino worker in the Kingdom, said that Manila should prosecute and punish the culprits to the fullest extent possible because they have betrayed the very people they are supposed to help and protect.
“It is sickening that some in the diplomatic corps are involved in such grave misconduct,” a person using the name FilAm said on Facebook.
Others even asked for televising public execution of those found guilty. “Yes please. Have them publicly executed and televised here,” Jen Aquino suggested.
For Nung A. Ajihil, it is time to cleanse the diplomatic service of undeserving personnel.
“Let’s see how Department of Foreign Affairs and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Office of the President will act on the expose of the good Congressman Walden Bello,” he said.
Recently, charges were filed against recalled Philippine ambassador to Kuwait for allegedly sexually abusing a Filipino housemaid in November.