SOME 13 victims of illegal recruitment and human trafficking have asked the government to help them return to the country from Malaysia.
The victims are from Misamis Oriental, Davao City, and Metro Manila, and all are seeking repatriation from Malaysia, said Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of the city’s 2nd District.
Rodriguez said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) regional director Angelito Magno has been asked to start an investigation so that the illegal recruiters could be brought to justice.
“Most of the victims are from Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental,” he said.
Philippine Overseas Workers Administration regional director Harry Borres, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration administrator Rosalinda Baldoz, and Malaysian Ambassador Jose Eduardo Malaya III have also been asked to facilitate the victims’ repatriation.
Rodriguez said the victims’ families have been notified, and complaints were being prepared against officials of a science and technology school who for their alleged role in the illegal recruitment.
“They were offered a salary of P17,000 each per month, excluding the overtime pay, with free food and accommodation. They were told to avail a loan for them to pay the placement fee of P35,000 but in the actuality, they were only paid P8,000 per month for more than 12 hours of work,” he said.
He said the offense falls under human trafficking because the workers were illegally brought to Malaysia via ferry.
“Pag-backdoor, illegal gyud ni,” Rodriguez said.
The victims were identified as Jeoprey Dumloan, Sarah Jane Busano, Easter Sunday Trano, all from Initao; Junriel Suan, Rey Anthony Langam, Hanzel Macasero, all from Manticao; Charlot Olmillio, Ricky Galamiton, both from Sugbongcogon; Rey Anthony Langam of Manticao; Norille Jalop of Kinoguitan, in Misamis Oriental.
Joemarie Gajo and Rolando Luis Celoso, both from Metro Manila; Jan Michael Estrella of Panabo City, Davao and Jobert Lucero of Barangay Macabalan, this city.
Lawyer James Judith, who volunteered to lawyer for the victims, said several affidavits have already been executed against suspects.
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