Two departing OFWs bound for Taiwan who were
held by security personnel at the NAIA Terminal 1 yesterday
expressed a sigh of relief after members of the DOLE
Inter-agency Team, along with the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO),
extended timely assistance to them.
OWWA Administrator Rebecca J. Calzado said that as part of the
Task Force created to address the “Laglag Bala’ issue, OWWA personnel assigned
at the NAIA will be on hand to extend immediate
assistance to affected outbound OFWs. An OWWA counter
is situated inside the NAIA premises to attend to the needs
of OFWs, especially those needing utmost attention.
OWWA and POEA lawyers were also at the airport
yesterday to lend support to the OFWs who were visibly traumatized
by the experience. The two OFWs who were released to the custody of
OWWA are presently being accommodated at the OWWA Halfway Home. The
agency is likewise coordinating with the OFWs’ local recruitment agencies
for the re-booking of their tickets at the soonest possible.
The OWWA chief added that she has issued Pre-Departure
Orientation Seminar (PDOS) Advisory No. 08, Series of 2015, advising all
accredited PDOS providers to remind PDOS participants not to carry,
either in their checked-in or carry-on luggage, items prohibited under R.A.
10591. PDOS providers are also informed of the OWWA assistance in case OFWs are
held by the authorities, as well as to monitor the situation of their workers
as they go through the departure formalities.
Meanwhile the two OFWs thanked OWWA, PAO and POEA for the
help extended to them.
“Malaki po ang pasasalamat namin at sana huwag na talagang magdala ng anumang
bala alam man natin o hindi dahil tiyak na ikapapahamak natin iyon,” one of the
OFWs said.
When asked why a bullet was found in her possession, the OFW
replied that she has no knowledge that a bullet was inside the stitched red
cloth that she purchased from the `albularyo’ to serve as an amulet against any
form of illness. She informed OWWA that she got sick sometime in January and
from that time on, she has been keeping the said ‘amulet’ in her belongings.
The OFW, who requests anonymity, is from Camarines Sur.
For any query or request for assistance, OWWA may be contacted
through the following numbers: mobile number 0917 5908658; 0917-590-5008;
551-1560; 551-6641 and 833-6992. (pr)
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