Manila (1 October) -- A large-scale human trafficking operation victimizing Filipino workers has been neutralized after a US-RP cooperation was put in place in response to complaints of forced labor trafficking reported by Filipino victims to the US Department of Homeland Security.
Labor Sec. Luzviminda Baldoz, in a press conference at the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) office, made the revelation following the arrival in the Philippines of US attorney Ellaine Carr, who is affiliated with Catholic charities, and has been assisting Filipino victims in the US on a pro bono basis.
"Atty. Carr had worked on the case with Atty. Luzviminda D. Padilla of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Washington, D.C. and their swift action resulted in the preventive suspension of the Philippine recruitment agencies involved in the trafficking activity," Baldoz said.
As a result of these efforts, Baldoz bared that the Philippine government will support the filing of appropriate legal and criminal charges against the perpetrators of the illegal activity.
Baldoz said the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is preparing to file the cases in coordination with Secretary Leila de Lima of the Department of Justice (DOJ), while it is pursuing efforts to provide legal and other appropriate assistance to the victims as well as working to prevent the occurrence of similar human trafficking activities.
During the presscon, Baldoz identified Z-Drive Inc. and US Opportunities as the alleged human trafficking perpetrator. ZDrive Inc. is a Laguna-based private employment agency, while the latter is an employment services company owned by a certain Mike Lombardi.
The 18 Filipinos victims were Rodolfo Andrade, Ferdinand Antigo, Dennis Belda, Peter Cabusao, Jhoanne Davocol, Eduardo Deytiquez, Lheniehl Florida, Jimmy Hinayo, Theodore Jastillana III, Orlando Lavarnez, Enrico Edmundo Lising, Michael Angelo Maghirang, Jason Magundayao, Wilfredo Mislang, Imie Ramos, Henry Sejera, Regie Tesoro, and Roberto Verzo, Jr.
"According to our investigation, the victims were illegally trafficked to the United States and were forced to endure sub-human and sub-standard conditions of work," Baldoz said.
Baldoz instructed the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the OWWA to ensure coordination with the Ellaine Carr Law Offices, and to the fullest humanitarian and legal extent possible, assist the victims, and bring the prosecution of the case to a successful conviction of the perpetrators. (source: www.dole.gov.ph)
PIA Information Services - Philippine Information AgencySource: Philippines Information Agency
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