House to probe sexual exploitation of OFWs by DFA, labor execs

 News
Jul 292013
 
House to probe sexual exploitation of OFWs by DFA, labor execs

By Karen BoncocanINQUIRER.net 10:38 am | Tuesday, July 30th, 2013 Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello MANILA, Philippines — After securing the chairmanship for the committee on overseas workers affairs at the House of Representatives, Akbayan’s Walden Bello on Tuesday said that he would seek the investigation of the alleged sexual exploitation cases on distressed female Filipino workers in the Middle East. In a phone interview with INQUIRER.net, Bello said that their group had not received word from both the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on their separate inquiries into the alleged involvement of Philippine Embassy and labor officials in the scandal. “We have not been appraised of developments in the investigation. Although we have constantly asked for updates, we have not received information other than being told that they are already investigating,” he said. Bello exposed the sexual exploitation cases months ago, prompting the DFA and the DOLE to ask the officials named in these cases to return to the Philippines for an investigation. But it was not just the “slow pace” of the two departments’ investigation which prompted the Akbayan lawmaker to launch a congressional inquiry. “We had planned this ever since. This was planned irrespective of their investigation. We said that once Congress opens, we will file a resolution whereby the House would conduct and inquiry. We filed the resolution on July 1 and yesterday I was appointed chairman of the Overseas Workers Affairs Committee,” he said. “The first order of Read More …

DFA: Filipina teen bound for Brazil finally allowed to fly out of KL

 News
Jul 232013
 
DFA: Filipina teen bound for Brazil finally allowed to fly out of KL

By Tarra QuismundoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 4:39 pm | Tuesday, July 23rd, 2013 An Air France-KLM plane on an airport tarmac. The airline reportedly prevented an 18-year-old indigenous Filipino woman, who was en route to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for World Youth Day from boarding on her onward flight on July 20 at the Kuala Lumpur airport because she appeared “not ready to travel” even if she had a folder with full documentation supporting her trip to Brazil. PHOTO FROM AIRFRANCEKLM-FINANCE.COM MANILA, Philippines — The Filipino teen barred from boarding her connecting flight to Brazil from Kuala Lumpur was finally able to push through with her trip to participate in the World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Tuesday. Citing a report from the Philippine Embassy in Malaysia, DFA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez said that 18-year-old Arjean Marie Belco took a KLM Airlines flight on Tuesday after her sponsor, GoodX.org, managed to rebook her connecting flight to Brazil. “Upon learning of the incident, our Embassy in Kuala Lumpur immediately contacted Ms. Arjean Belco to inquire about her situation and find out how it could help. She informed the Embassy that a representative from Goodx.org was already taking care of the arrangements,” Hernandez said in a text message on Tuesday. “Per the information we received this morning, Goodx.org was able to resolve the situation and Arjean is on her way to Brazil,” he said. Belco, a native of Bukidnon’s Talaandig tribe, was denied boarding Read More …

Gov’t disowns anti-China rallies to be held worldwide

 News
Jul 182013
 
Gov’t disowns anti-China rallies to be held worldwide

By Christine O. AvendañoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 5:44 am | Friday, July 19th, 2013 Department Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez: Anti-China protests led by private individuals and group. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The government said it has nothing to do with the planned one-day global action on July 24 by Filipinos around the world to protest against Chinese incursions in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), but will not try to stop it either. “Filipinos have all the right to express and voice out in a peaceful manner their positions and sentiments on the issue of the West Philippine Sea,” said Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez, the Department Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson. ‘In private capacity’ At a news conference, Hernandez stressed that the government “did not sanction” the Global Day of Protest to be staged worldwide by the West Philippine Sea Coalition, saying these were being led by “individuals and groups in their private capacity.” “These are not sanctioned by the government, but being in a democracy, people have a right to voice out their position on different issues,” Hernandez said. Asked whether the protests could inflame the already tense relations between Manila and Beijing, Hernandez said the DFA hoped it would not as people just want to express their positions on the issue. Hernandez also said the global protest action will not affect the Philippines’ arbitration case against China before the United Nations. “The arbitrary tribunal will proceed with the case based upon its rules and merits of this case, Read More …

Defense chief contradicts DFA, says Chinese ships already left Panatag

 News
Jul 052013
 
Defense chief contradicts DFA, says Chinese ships already left Panatag

Contradicting the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin on Friday said that Chinese ships have already left the disputed Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal. “As far as the last air patrol that we conducted, the (Chinese) ships are no longer at Panatag Shoal,” Gazmin said. “I guess this is really what they do during inclement weather.” This contradicted an earlier statement by Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez denying that Chinese warships have left the shoal, which is about 124 nautical miles off Zambales province. Gazmin said the military had its latest patrol early this week. Manila and Beijing have been in an impasse regarding the shoal since April 10 last year when Chinese ships blocked the arrest of fishermen who were caught poaching by Philippine authorities. Since then, China has virtually controlled the shoal, a rich fishing area for Zambales residents. Gazmin, however, refused to answer questions regarding Philippine efforts to ensure that the foreign ships will not return to the shoal. “I cannot discuss that with you,” Gazmin told reporters. Regarding Chinese Major General Luo Yan’s statement calling the  Philippines as trouble-maker, Gazmin said: “You know what really happened. If he thinks we are troublemakers, then that is the right of the Chinese to say so but everybody knows that we didn’t start the whole thing.” — KBK, GMA News

BRP Alcaraz to arrive in PHL on Aug. 3 — DFA

 News
Jul 032013
 
BRP Alcaraz to arrive in PHL on Aug. 3 — DFA

The BRP Alcaraz, the Philippine Navy’s newest warship, is due to arrive in the Philippines on August 3, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. In an article posted on its website July 3, the DFA mentioned the expected arrival date after the BRP Alcaraz reached San Diego last June 29. “BRP Alcaraz is expected to arrive in the Philippines on August 3, 2013,” it said. Last June 29, the BRP Alcaraz arrived at the 52nd US Naval Base in San Diego, California, while en route to the Philippines. Its crew received a warm welcome from Philippine Consul General to Los Angeles Maria Hellen de la Vega and the Filipino community, the same article said. De la Vega said the BRP Alcaraz is “a fitting acquisition for the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ modernization program.” She added it “will enhance the Philippines’ naval assets, adding the Philippines must attach greater focus and attention to maritime security.” BRP Alcaraz (PF-16) is the Philippine Navy’s second Hamilton-class cutter and sister ship of the BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF-15). The BRP Alcaraz has 14 officers and 74 crew members led by Capt. Ernesto Baldovino. “(It) is capable of conducting patrols for long periods of time and can withstand heavy weather and rough sea conditions,” the DFA said. BRP Alcaraz was named after Commodore Ramon Alcaraz, a Philippine Navy officer, who commanded a patrol boat that shot down three Japanese aircraft. — RSJ, GMA News

DFA: China's 'counterstrike' statement provocative

 News
Jun 292013
 
DFA: China's 'counterstrike' statement provocative

The Department of Foreign Affairs on Saturday said China’s warning of an inevitable “counterstrike” against the Philippines is a provocative statement that has “no place in the relations of civilized nations.” In a text message to GMA News Online, DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez said China is obligated under international law, specifically the United Nations Charter “to pursue a peaceful resolution of disputes – meaning without the use of force [or] the threat to use forces.” China’s state media warned on Saturday a

3 OFWs confirm sex abuses

 News
Jun 242013
 
3 OFWs confirm sex abuses

By Tarra QuismundoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 3:16 am | Tuesday, June 25th, 2013 Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario: Institutionalized sexual exploitation. AP FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The testimonies of three women who claimed they were abused by a Filipino labor officer in Saudi Arabia bolstered allegations of “institutionalized” sexual exploitation of distressed migrant workers in Philippine embassies in the Middle East, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said Monday. Speaking to reporters after two days of consultations with heads of Philippine diplomatic missions in the Middle East and North Africa, Del Rosario said he had widened the investigation of the allegations to include missions in Southeast Asia and Hong Kong that also have shelters for distressed migrant workers. Del Rosario said he had ordered home the Philippine ambassadors to Singapore and Malaysia and consul general in Hong Kong for consultations. The three women and a witness met with Del Rosario and other officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and officials of the Department of Labor and Employment last Friday and told them that they were sexually abused by a labor officer in the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, who handled their requests for repatriation. “Certain allegations were confirmed by the three alleged victims who spoke with me on June 21. For the most part, however, until other victims and witnesses come forward, all other allegations, including sex rings, remain as allegations requiring further investigation,” Del Rosario said. Help for victims Malacañang on Sunday promised a thorough investigation of the sex-for-repatriation Read More …

DFA creates body to probe sexual exploitation in PH foreign missions

 News
Jun 202013
 
DFA creates body to probe sexual exploitation in PH foreign missions

By Tarra QuismundoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 7:07 pm | Thursday, June 20th, 2013 Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario. AP FILE PHOTO MANILA—The Department of Foreign Affairs  set up Thursday a fact-finding body to investigate alleged sexual exploitation of distressed Filipino workers in at least  three Philippine diplomatic posts in the Middle East as it asked eight more of the country’s ambassadors in the region to come home “for consultations.” Foreign Secretary Albert Del Rosario ordered the ambassadors home to discuss the alleged cases and draw up measures to prevent such offenses from occurring in Philippine foreign missions. The Philippine envoys to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt, Libya and Lebanon were summoned a day after Del Rosario called on the ambassadors to Jordan, Syria and Kuwait and officials linked to the alleged prostitution rings to take the next flight home to give their side of the issue. “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,” Hernandez said at a news briefing. “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 added. Hernandez said the envoys in the Read More …

DFA cautions Filipinos in Saudi Arabia on coronavirus threat

 News
Jun 042013
 
DFA cautions Filipinos in Saudi Arabia on coronavirus threat

By Tarra QuismundoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 11:37 pm | Tuesday, June 4th, 2013 DFA spokesman Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday advised Filipinos in Saudi Arabia, particularly those camped out at tent shelters outside the Philippine embassy in Riyadh, to take precautionary health measures amid the spread of the coronavirus, a disease that has most affected the Arab country with 39 known cases of contraction and 25 reported deaths. No Filipino has so far been reported to have been stricken with the disease, but the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh issued an advisory for Philippine nationals to take preventive measures and protect themselves from the disease. “There are no reports of any Filipino in Saudi Arabia being infected with the new virus which, according to news reports, caused the death of several Saudis,” said DFA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez. “Our citizens in Saudi Arabia should follow the advice of the Saudi Health Ministry and other relevant authorities. The embassy has also issued an advisory detailing the symptoms of the disease and the preventive measures that our kababayans in Saudi Arabia can take,” he said in a press conference on Tuesday. Experts have said the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) stemmed from the same viral family as the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, an outbreak which spread around the world in 2003, killing some 775 people, according to a Reuters report. The new virus is known to have spread to France, Read More …

Filipinos in Turkey urged to avoid large public gatherings

 News
Jun 042013
 
Filipinos in Turkey urged to avoid large public gatherings

By Tarra QuismundoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 7:37 pm | Tuesday, June 4th, 2013 DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday cautioned Filipinos across Turkey to be careful of large public gatherings as nationwide unrest grew amid widespread demonstrations over the planned construction over a historic park in Istanbul. “Our Embassy in Ankara continues to monitor the situation in Turkey. While there are no specific threats to Filipinos, our Embassy nevertheless advises our kababayans to take extra precaution and stay away from areas where demonstrations are held,” DFA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez said in a press briefing on Tuesday. There are some 5,000 Filipinos in Turkey, according to DFA estimates. Hernandez meanwhile said no Filipinos were among casualties in the flooding in the Czech Republic and fresh tornadoes that ripped through Oklahoma over the weekend. He said the Philippine Embassy in Prague has sent out an alert to some 500 Filipinos there about the situation and contact numbers for emergencies. Citing a report from the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago, Hernandez meanwhile said Filipinos were spared from harm when a tornado hit central Oklahoma on May 31, killing at least 18 people. Some 100,000 Filipinos are known to be residing in Oklahoma and surrounding areas in the midwest, which was also hit by a tornado earlier last month. Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step Read More …

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