 |
||
|
|
||
January
5, 2005 An alliance of overseas Filipino groups today empathized with the family of missing OFW Julito Leong. At the same time, Migrante International hit the Arroyo administration over its handling of Julito's possible abduction.Julito, 40 years old from Negros Oriental, works for Detecon-Al Saudi, a telecommunications firm in Riyadh. His wife told Philippine media that Julito went missing January 11 after his employer asked him to pick up plane tickets. His car is also reportedly missing. December
17 International Migrants Day March and Rally to Mendiola
"We empathize with the emotional trauma his family must now endure. We urge them to remain steadfast and we hope they maintain the courage to continually ask the Filipino people's support in ensuring the Arroyo administration truly does all it can for Julito's safety," said Migrante International Secretary-General Maita Santiago. "At the same time, it's deplorable that almost two weeks have passed since Julito's disappearance and still the DFA has no information. Even considering that the Philippine embassy was notified only on January 18, that's still almost a week ago. Apparently, DFA officials, especially in Riyadh, are sleeping on the job," said Santiago. The Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia is Amb. Bahnarim Guinomla."One would imagine that at least, the embassy, the DFA and DOLE have proactive measures in place to ensure and ascertain the safety of OFWs in the Kingdom -- especially given the already bloody run-up to Iraq's January 30 elections," she added. "OFWs in the entire region are vulnerable. Already, Saudi Arabia has proven to be an OFW hotspot. Along with cases of extreme abuses committed against migrant workers, 14 OFWs have already been killed or injured there in suicide-bombing and other types of attacks since May 2003," she said. The seven OFWs killed in Saudi Arabia are: Serafin Hernandez, Getulio Templo and Rogelio Pababero (died May 12, 2003); Feliciano Dizon, Joelly Giray and Mariano Cabasab (died May 29, 2004); and Romeo de la Rosa (died December 7, 2004). Out of the approximately 1.5 million Filipinos in the Middle East, about 915,000 are in Saudi Arabia. Santiago concluded that days before Iraq's January 30 elections, Migrante International will hold a rally in front of the US embassy in Manila on January 27 to again protest Bush?s unjust occupation of Iraq and to assert how President Gloria's support of US-led wars of aggression endanger the lives and livelihood of OFWs -- especially those in Middle East countries like Iraq and Saudi Arabia. #
Earlier today, we joined leaders and representatives of other progressive organizations in a potluck merienda cena, organized by Amistad (Philippine-Cuba solidarity group), to bid farewell to the Cuban Ambassador to the Philippines. After about five and a half years, Amb. Ramon Alonzo Medina and his wife Mercedes, are leaving their post here. Amidst Makati skyscrapers and a cool breeze that swept down upon us as the sun descended, the gathering also marked the Cuban Revolution's 46th anniversary (January 1, 1959). Forty-six years ago, the Cuban people triumphed over despotic landlords and US imperialism. Today, they still stand firm and wage their struggle against US imperialism's continued terroristic attacks against their sovereignty. Although the UN passed for the 13th time another resolution condemning the US blockade of Cuba, the Bush administration last May 6 passed new policies that serve to intensify its political and economic aggression. By doing so, the US aims to cause internal destabilizaion and create conditions for its direct intervention so that it can gain control over the Cuban people and its resources. In his message, Amb. Medina also underlined the need to wage a campaign for the immediate release of five heroes of the Revolution that are imprisoned in the US because of their fight against terrorism. And until they are released, he said we cannot fully celebrate the anniversary of the Cuban revolution. But despite such onslaught, the state of Cuba's education, health and economic system remain sound and in many cases, even better than what can be found in capitalist states. Mortality rate is high, there are numerous skilled health professionals, universities and cultural centers. As speakers this evening said, the Cuban revolution is an inspiration for the Filipino and other oppressed peoples. We salute their victory forty-six years ago and isang taos kamao (a raised fist) for their continued vigilance against US imperialism. As Bayan Muna said in their statement earlier this evening, in the not too distant future, the Filipino people also look forward to the day when we too will celebrate the one year anniversary of our own 'revolution' - and when this day comes, we know we will be ever closer to achieving the kind of Philippine society where families are no longer torn apart because of the need to survive.
December
17 International Migrants Day March and Rally to Mendiola
An alliance of overseas Filipino groups today said the Office of External Affairs purported plan to sell government bonds to overseas Filipinos sounds like a swindle. "This 'Makabayan Bond' scheme proves what we said from the onset - that the OEA and its OFW component is all about raking in funds from overseas Filipinos. The plan sounds shady, especially since its crafters can't even explain the plan's safeguards and how much 'investors' will earn on their 'investment'," said Maita Santiago, Migrante International Secretary-General. Recently, OEA Undersecretary Danny Consumido announced plans to raise US$100 million (P5.6 billion) by selling 5 year Makabayan Investment Certificates to overseas Filipinos in the US, Canada and Europe. The investments will be then be used to finance small enterprises like piggeries or sari-sari stores. Usec. Consumido explained the OEA would act like a facilitator that would help the overseas Filipinos' beneficiary set up business and train staff. "This plan sounds like so many of the other so-called 'reintegration schemes' set up by pseudo-migrant organizations and businesses out to milk OFWs of their hard-earned monies. In the end, many of the enterprises set-up don't succeed because of the over-all bad state of the Philippine economy," said Santiago. "In this context, small businesses are hit especially hard. The result is that even OFWs that planned to return home for good end up going abroad again after a couple of years - with their savings wiped out," she said. "It's also untrue and insulting to say that most OFW families are 'squandering' funds on food binges and appliances. The reality is that most migrant families, like the majority of the Filipino people, reel from an onslaught of rising prices in basic goods and services," said Santiago, noting that since President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo took office, prices have tripled in many cases. "This plan is likely nothing more than attempt to shore up funds for the administration's own political use. We will strongly expose and oppose this most recent scheme to again exploit OFWs," concluded Santiago. #
December 17 International Migrants Day March and Rally to Mendiola
Protection for OFWs - kabataan ng migrante para sa bayan (kamiyan), migrants' youth groupwill take this fight to reject this anti-people bill, and its proponent President Gloria, worldwide. |
Migrante
warns against RP �exporting� nurses, caregivers to Japan as trainees
HK domestic workers score
partial victory with HK$50 wage hike; OFW group calls for free
money transfers, warns against mandatory remittancess. Migrante-Philippines Australia
hits deportation of Pinay Australian
It's Arrived !
|
Home |
.gif){kind=spacer}
