DOLE offers own hotlines, email address for complaints

As part of its probe into the alleged "sexploitation" of distressed overseas Filipino workers by some personnel of Philippine foreign missions in the Middle East, the Department of Labor and Employment on Sunday offered hotlines and an email address for the victims.

The DOLE said the hotlines are open to both complainants and informants, radio dzBB’s Nimfa Ravelo reported Sunday. These include:

But so far, DOLE probe panel head lawyer Leah Fortuna said no complainant has approached the DOLE for assistance.

Fortuna said Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario had talked to at least four OFWs who complained of sexual harassment against an assistant labor officer.

The DOLE and the Department of Foreign Affairs are conducting parallel investigations of the racket where female OFWs are allegedly victimized by a sex-for-repatriation operation.

DOLE officials have instructed Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) officers to conduct investigations in Middle East countries including Kuwait, Jordan and Syria.

Meanwhile, in Malacañang, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte reiterated those found liable will be punished.

“If at the end of it there is a finding that there is culpability, the persons who are found to be liable will be held so,” she said on government-run dzRB radio.

But she maintained there is no timetable for the DFA to finish its job, saying the DFA must be allowed “to work at their pace.”

“As you can see, the DFA is giving much attention and effort into this investigation,” she added. — LBG, GMA News