Congress should work double time on pending legislation that seek to offer more protection to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), as the threat of execution looms large over the head of another Filipino abroad, Mary Jane Veloso.
This was according to Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, who said authorities should make preventive measures that safeguard the life and liberty of Filipino workers in foreign lands a priority, so that there would be no need for remedial measures.
Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago. RYAN LEAGOGO/INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
Veloso has been handed down the death penalty in Indonesia, but some 123 other Filipinos have been sentenced to death in other parts of the world, Santiago said, citing data she got from an advocacy group for Filipino migrant workers.
“All legal and diplomatic means must be exhausted to ensure that Filipinos abroad are not wrongfully deprived of life or liberty. But the ideal situation is one where remedy is not necessary. We must prevent these cases from happening,” she said.
Veloso’s case adds a sense of urgency and should spur lawmakers to fast-track bills aimed at improving the welfare and protection of OFWs, she said.
“It appears that Veloso is a victim not only of illegal recruitment, but also of drug syndicates using unsuspecting OFWs as drug couriers. Such cases may be avoided if we put in place stronger safeguards,” she added.
Santiago herself as authored several measures that aim to help migrant workers and protect their rights.
She said she had asked the labor committee earlier this year to make her measures, including resolutions seeking Senate inquiries, on cases involving OFWs.
One of her resolutions sought an inquiry on the reported proliferation of illegal recruitment incidents online. Another asked the Senate to look into the alleged double visa schemes of recruitment agencies, while a third called for a hearing on the topic of strengthening state protection for OFWs and an improvement of antihuman trafficking efforts.
She also wants a legislative probe on the supposed continued deployment of Filipino workers to war-torn countries in contravention of government bans. RC