Bello doesn't believe displaced OFWs in Riyadh scavenging, says they are going for fruit rejects of groceries

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III expressed doubt on reports that displaced overseas Filipino workers in Riyadh are scavenging for food, saying they are looking for rejected fruit deliveries of groceries.

Bello made the comment during the House probe on the country’s  assistance to OFWs affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

“Naniniwala ba kayo na ang isang Pilipino, isang marangal at may dangal na tao, ay kakain ng basura? The truth of the matter is may mga dinedeliver na prutas sa groceries, iyong hindi pumasa sa groceries, iyon ang pinag-aagawan ng mga kasamahan natin,” Bello said.

“Di po ito basura. Hindi po ako naniniwala na may Pilipinong kakain ng basura. Ewan ko po sa inyo, your honor, pero wala pa akong nakitang Pilipino na kumain ng basura,” he added.

Philippine Ambassador Saudi Arabia Adnan Alonto echoed Bello’s position that the leftovers the OFWs are getting for survival are not trash.

“Ang pagkakaalam po natin, base po sa reports ng ating case officers, sila po ay nabigyan po sila ng tulong. Iyong location po nila, malapit sa bakala, iyong mga mini-marts po. Ang nangyari po, iyong mga gulay na di pumasa sa quality standard ng grocery, they go to the garbage, iyon po ang kinukuha ng mga kababayan natin,” Alonto said.

“Alam niyo naman po ang mga kababayan natin, basta maganda pa itsura ng gulay, kinukuha nila eh,” he added.

Alonto, however, said the interview showing the plight of OFWs made him upset because Reynan Bancoro, the one GMA News talked to, received an aid from the government worth 700 Saudi Riyals or P9,100.

“Ang hindi ko lang po nagustuhan, iyong mismong nainterview, nakatanggap ng DOLE AKAP (financial assistance for displaced OFWs), 700 riyals po. Hindi siguro tama na gamitin iyong video na ito na maipakita na di natutulungan ng gobyerno,” he said.

“Sana huwag nilang gawin iyon, ine-expose nila yung sarili nila sa criminal action by their employers, very strict po ang cybercrime laws roon. Makakadagdag [rin] sa bigat ng problema ng embahada at ng POLO (Philippine Overseas Labor Office),” he added.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Sarah Arriola also earlier said that such claim of scavenging OFWs was staged and even warned Filipinos that posting such videos would make them liable for cyberlibel under local laws.

But last June 18, OWWA administrator Hans Cacdac was able to talk to the OFWs in Riyadh who resorted to finding leftover food in trash.

In the same episode, Cacdac assured the OFWs that the government will provide them assistance.

“Napatawag na namin iyong kanilang recruitment agency, naidulog na rin po sa POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration) ang kawalan ng aksyon ng kanilang ahensiya, at para sila ay agarang makauwi,” Cacdac said in an interview on Unang Balita.

“May efforts na po ang ating embahada at Labor Office sa Riyadh para makauwi sila sa Pilipinas at panagutin ang kanilang recruitment agency,” he added.

Cacdac also said that food packs will be delivered to these OFWs in need.

Bello also expressed doubt on reports that displaced OFWs resorted to selling their blood to make ends meet amid COVID-19 pandemic.

"Ang mga Pilipino, kung minsan, sa kagustuhan nila na makapagpadala ng pera sa kanilang maybahay rito sa Pilipinas, they go for extra money, and one of them is selling blood,” Bello said.

“Nagbebenta ng dugo ang ating mga kababayan hindi dahil sa pangangailangan kung hindi dahil sa kagustuhan nila na makapagpadala ng dagdag pera. That does not only happen during this pandemic,” he added.—AOL, GMA News