OFWs in Qatar complain vs. Pinoy forwarder over undelivered balikbayan boxes

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Qatar have sought assistance after being scammed by a balikbayan box forwarding service allegedly owned by a fellow Filipino.

According to a "24 Oras" report by Jun Veneracion on Wednesday, at least two OFWs have reached out to GMA Integrated News to communicate their concerns to government agencies.

Angie said she paid over P11,000 for three balikbayan boxes containing items worth around P100,000 to be sent to her family, but the boxes never arrived.

Another OFW, Kimchelle, said she spent P6,000 for her box to be shipped to Cebu, but which also remains missing for over a year now.

“Sabi nga ng mama ko 'wag na hintayin. Sabi ko pinaghirapan ko yun,” she said.

Kimchelle said that she was able to trace her boxes to a local forwarder, but found that the packages have been abandoned and gathering dust.

“Expired na talaga [yung mga laman], kasi nakatambak sa forwarder nila,” she said.

Initial investigation conducted by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) revealed that the Qatar-based forwarding company was not listed among its accredited forwarders.

It was also found that the company had no Philippine counterpart, which was why their boxes were abandoned or got lost.

“Kahit hindi ko na matatanggap ang bagahe, at least makuha kami ng [hustisya na] nascam na forwarder na ito, tapos ito lang gagawin nila. Ngayon po, pinagtataguan na kami eh,” said Angie.

Meanwhile, the BOC assured the OFWs that they will search for the missing boxes and will deliver them to the owners.

“Ang ating ginawa po [na] hakbang, papa-check natin sa dalawang puerto, Manila Container Port at Port of Manila ang status nung container natin,” said BOC Deputy Commissioner Michael Fermin.—Jiselle Anne Casucian/LDF, GMA Integrated News