Officials in 'sex-for-fly' scam told to go home, face probe

MANILA, Philippines - Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario on Wednesday said that the three labor officials in the Middle East tagged in the alleged sex-for-repatriation scheme victimizing overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have been told to come home.

Del Rosario said Mario Antonio, assistant labor attaché in Amman, Jordan; Blas Marquez from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Kuwait; and a certain Kim from Damascus, Syria have been urged to return to the Philippines to face an investigation.

"They have been asked to board the plane the soonest possible time," Del Rosario said in a televised interview with reporters.

On Tuesday, Akbayan party-list Rep. Walden Bello accussed the three for being involved in the sexual exploitation and prostitution rings victimizing OFWs in Jordan, Kuwait and Syria.

Admitting that their information on the incident is so far "very limited," Del Rosario said they are working closely with Bello for a "quick and comprehensive probe" on the issue.

Antonio had denied the allegation that he prostitutes female OFWs who have problems with their work and employers in exchange of repatriations.

Related story: Jordan labor officer denies operating OFW sex ring

Meanwhile, the group Migrante International in the Middle East said the OFWs allegedly victimized by the accused officials "conveyed their willingness to testify if authorities will provide security for fear of their lives."

“Today, an OFW victim along with two others conveyed to us that they will issue an affidavit and will file a complaint if Philippine authorities could assure their safety and provide security upon return to the Philippines,” Migrante vice chairperson John Leonard Monterona said in a statement.

Monterona, who is also the group’s coordinator in the Middle East and North Africa, noted that they have been reporting years ago that some Philippine labor officials are taking advantage of the distressed women OFWs by pimping them in exchange of money for repatriation.

Two female senators on Wednesday condemned the alleged sex scheme and urged concerned agencies to hold the alleged perpetrators accountable.

“If in fact the allegation of "sex for repatriation" is true, then this is one of the worst cases of exploitation that have befallen our OFW women,” said Sen. Pia Cayetano, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Youth, Women and Family Relations.

"This should not be tolerated, should be investigated, should be meted the full force of the law, if true," added Sen. Loren Legarda.