Illegal Recruitment in Macau Continues Unabated

Cynthia Abdon Tellez
Director, Mission For Migrant Workers

Almost 50 Filipinos were illegally recruited to Macau during the last quarter of 2009 as recorded by the Mission for Migrant Workers (MFMW). But the number should be bigger as not all have sought assistance to the MFMW’s networks in the territory. Yet, assistance to the victims even for as basic as food and shelter, air tickets back home is nil. What more with prosecuting the illegal recruiters.

Eighteen people were illegally recruited in the 1st week of December 2009 and they are still in Macau. Of these, 13 have sought the assistance of the Filipino Catholic Pastoral Center and Migrante Macau. They have sought the assistance also of the Philippine Consulate this January 5 and according to Rico Cabangon, "we were told by Assistance to Nationals (ATN) Nick David that we cannot get any assistance from them and even blamed us the for our plight.

The names of 11 of the 13 are the following: Nora Alcasabas, Shiela Rosario Seno, Sigcristy Marasigan, Marvin Briones, Rowena Andal, Rico Cabangon, Frederick Palacio, Ronald Alcasabas, Jocelyn Queano, Harry Jalla and Christopher Enriquez.

Another 2 of 5 victims were told, however, that they might be provided tickets in the coming month or two and that the ATN can accompany them to the police having learned that their recruiter is still in Macau.

It is important to note that all this time, not one of the victims have been provided board and lodging by the Philippine Consulate. Illegal recruitment in Macau has been rampant even before the Consulate was established in the territory, and this the PCG-Macau should be aware of and should be prepared to assist because the victims are Filipinos. The latter mainly rely on handouts from compatriots and religious service providers such as the Pastoral Center.

Moreover, not one illegal recruiter has been arrested and prosecuted for their criminal deeds. One alleged recruiter named Rhana Rosales Coronado has recruited a number of the Filipinos since September 2009, all of whom ended up jobless and ripped off their last cent. Yet, he continually is able to recruit more Filipinos when one of his first victims had already sought assistance to the Consulate on September 7.

The Philippine Consulate in Macau has been very good in collecting different fees from the Filipino community in Macau including the implementation of the very unpopular Affidavit of Support (AOS); and the collection of OWWA fee for those who would need to get an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC), it would not hurt much extending support to those who are in need like the victims of illegal recruitment who in the first place are only trying their best to find jobs to provide for their families where the government failed. What is RA 8042 (Magna Carta for Overseas Filipinos) there for in the first place?

It is then but right to demand the following from the Philippine government:

• Provide immediate assistance, such as temporary shelter, legal counsel and air passage to all victims of illegal recruitment
• 2. Arrest and prosecute all illegal recruiters of Filipinos in Macau