PHL seeks IOM help in repatriating Pinoy trafficking victims

Philippine officials have sought anew the help of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in helping repatriate Filipino victims of human trafficking.   Alex Lamadrid, Philippine embassy in Cairo charge d'affaires, made the request when he met with IOM officials in Sudan last Dec. 15 to 17.   "During the meeting with (IOM) officials, Lamadrid sought their assistance in the repatriation Filipino nationals who might be victims of human trafficking," the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a news release.   On the other hand, the IOM committed to inform the Embassy of any new programs that Filipino nationals can avail of by next year, the DFA said.   There are some 3,000 Filipino nationals in Sudan including nurses, medical professionals, engineers, office workers, technicians, students, Filipinos married to Sudanese nationals and domestic workers.   Exit permits   Meanwhile, in his meeting with Sudanese Foreign Ministry Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Ambassador Yayah Abdul Jalil, Lamadrid raised the issue of overstaying Filipinos having difficulties in securing exit permits from the Sudanese Immigration due to overstaying fees.   "The Sudanese official promised to look deeper into the case in order to resolve the issue," the DFA said.   Last year, the Embassy secured a waiver of fees from the Sudanese Immigration for 48 overstaying Filipinos. - VVP, GMA News