Bello refutes displaced OFWs claim about scavening in Riyadh

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III shows disapproval on reports that displaced overseas Filipino workers in Riyadh are scavenging for food. Bello said they are looking for rejected fruit deliveries of groceries.

Photo credit: panaynews.net

“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,” (Would you believe, a Filipino, with integrity and honor will eat waste food? The truth of the matter is that there are delivered fruits in groceries, those that doesn't met the standards, those are what our fellow Filipino is scavenging.) Bello said.

He even added that what our Kababayans are picking up aren't food wastes and he doesn't believe that a Filipino will eat them. He even said that he has never seen a Filipino eating food wastes.

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

Alonto added that based on the reports from the case officers, those Filipinos were given assistance. Their locations are near to a "bakala", a small mini-mart. Vegetables that don't pass the quality standards are thrown to the garbage, those are what our fellow man is picking up.

“Alam niyo naman po ang mga kababayan natin, basta maganda pa itsura ng gulay, kinukuha nila eh,” ( If the vegetables' condition still look goo , our kababayans take it.) he added.

Alonto, however, said the interview showing the discomfort of OFWs made him upset because Reynan Bancoro, the one seen in an TV interview, 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,” (What upsets me is that the person who was interviewed recieved a DOLE AKAP assistance. It's not right to use the video to show the government isn't helping.) Alonto said. He also added that they shouldn't do that, they are exposing themselves to a criminal action by their employers. Riyadh are strict when it comes to cyber-crime laws. It may only add problems to the embassy and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO).

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.

Last June 18, OWWA administrator Hans Cacdac was able to talk to the OFWs in Riyadh who resorted to finding leftover food in trash. He assured the OFWs that the government will provide them assistance.

The OFW recruitment agency where already reported to POEA, the embassy is already talking to the Labor Office of Riyadh for them to go home.

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,” (Sometimes when Filipinos are desperate to send money to their families, they resort to engaging in other ways to gain extra money, one of them is selling blood.) Bello said.

Bello also added that Filipinos sell blood not because they need it but because they want to send extra money. It doesn't only happen during the pandemic.