Overseas Filipino worker Gloria Ortinez (center), victimized by the alleged “tanim-bala scam,” attends Senate probe. MAILA AGER/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Her 13-year-old ward’s tears made her employer change her mind and gave her another chance.
Gloria Ortinez, the overseas Filipino worker who recently fell victim to the “tanim-bala” (bullet-planting) racket at the airport, was issued another contract by her employer in Hong Kong, according to migrant workers advocate Susan “Toots” Ople.
Ople said Ortinez’ previous contract was terminated by her employer due to the tanim-bala incident.
“They agreed on a settlement that includes a prospect of a new contract once Nanay Glo is prepared to come back,” she told the Philippine Daily Inquirer over the phone.
According to Ople, Ortinez and her employer, a single mother, initially had a bitter parting of ways Sunday night after the latter refused to allow the former to enter the apartment to get her things.
The employer’s 13-year old son went down the building, without her mother’s knowledge, to bid Ortinez goodbye.
“The mother witnessed how emotionally affected her son was by her decision to let go of Nanay Gloria,” Ople said.
“You study well. I love you,” she qouted Ortinez as telling her crying ward.
“If you love me then, why are you leaving me?” Ople quoted the boy as saying in reply to Ortinez.
The next day, Ople said Ortinez received a call from her employer.
“She was saying sorry to Nanay Gloria. She said her son cried the whole night and refused to eat breakfast before going to school. The employer then invited Nanay Gloria to meet her at a small restaurant across her apartment,” narrated Ople.
She added it was an opportunity for Ortinez to explain to her employer the tanim-bala incident and latter expressed her sympathy over what happened.
“They agreed on a financial settlement and the employer promised not to replace her. They will wait for Nanay Gloria to come back once all her papers are ready,” Ople added.
Ortinez, 56, was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Oct. 25 after two policemen claimed to have found a live bullet in her handbag.
The case was dropped against Ortinez after three days due to “lack of probable cause,” and the two policemen were suspended from duty.
Ople said they have already asked the Commission on Human Rights to look into the possible human rights violations committed against Ortinez in the tanim-bala incident. SFM