by Janvic Mateo (The Philippine Star) – Sept 23, 2018
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has repatriated 27 Filipinas rescued from a sex trafficking syndicate in Malaysia last month.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano yesterday warned Filipinos seeking jobs abroad against sex trafficking syndicates using social media to offer work in Malaysia, Singapore, and other countries.
“We urge our kababayans to think twice before applying for the various job opportunities abroad that are being offered online,” Cayetano said.
“There are numerous cases of Filipino jobseekers who apply for these online job offers but end up in virtual bondage in a number of countries abroad,” he added.
The 27 Filipinas – who arrived in the country last Wednesday – were rescued by the Malaysian police at an apartment in Johor Baru, located an hour from Singapore, on Aug. 15.
In interviews conducted by embassy representatives and the Philippine National Police Women and Children Protection Center, the victims said they were trafficked to Malaysia and Singapore in four batches between June and July.
According to them, they were recruited in the Philippines to be so-called “promodizers” selling liquor to customers in four establishments in Singapore.
They said they did this on a commission basis but were later made to do sexual services as well.
“The women were mostly recruited through social media for work in Singapore, but were told that they will enter and exit the country from Malaysia but were there only on tourist visas,” Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia Charles Jose said.
He reminded Filipinos wishing to work in Malaysia to be wary of job offers from recruiters who will have them enter the country as tourists but with the promise of securing work visas for them upon arrival.
Cayetano said Filipinos who want to work abroad should first check job offers with the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency or the Department of Labor and Employment before applying for them.
It’s women’s month!
“Support women every day of the year!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations against serious violations of Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government
(NUG) of Myanmar.
Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands #Distancing #TakePicturesVideos
Monthly Observances:
Women’s Role in History Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Environmental Week
Women’s Week
Week 3: Philippine Industry and Made-in-the-Philippines
Products Week
Last Week: Protection and Gender-Fair Treatment
of the Girl Child Week
Daily Observances:
March 8: Women’s Rights and
International Peace Day;
National Women’s Day
Mar 4— Employee Appreciation Day
Mar 15 — World Consumer Rights Day
Mar 18 — Global Recycling Day
Mar 21 — International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Mar 23 — International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims
Mar 25 — International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
Mar 27 — Earth Hour
