OFW escapes recruiter in Dubai, seeks help from RP embassy

MANILA, Philippines - An undocumented overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who earlier asked help from the Philippine government has escaped from her recruiter in Dubai, according to her brother.

Maria Caridad “Maricar" Laganzo fled her recruiter Sunday morning and was on her way to the nearest Philippine Embassy in the United Arab Emirates to seek assistance, her brother Randy told GMANews.TV in a text message.

"Katatawag lang ni Maricar. Tumakas na siya sa agency Al Doukhi Labour Supply owned by a certain Danah Barlaan, also a Filipina, (Maricar has just called up. She has escaped from Al Doukhi Labour Supply agency owned by a certain Danah Barlaan, also a Filipino)" said Randy in his text message.

Randy said that the owner of 7 Blessings, the local employment agency of Al Doukhi, also called him and told him that Laganzo’s escape was reported to the Dubai police.

He said his sister escaped with another Filipina.

“Binasag daw ang salamin ng agency. Kasama niya yung isa pang Pinay, Baby Ruth Sacdalan, na sinasaktan din ng amo at kinulong din sa agency (I was told by the owner of 7 Blessings that my sister broke the glass entrance of the agency and escaped with Baby Ruth Sacdalan, who was also being hurt by her employer and help up at the agency), " said Randy.

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration on Friday said it was not in a position to help Laganzo because she is an undocumented OFW.

“On our part, wala kaming matetake na action dahil undocumented siya (we cannot take action because she is undocumented), maybe the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration can help them," said POEA Administrator Jennifer Manalili.

Philippine embassies, along with their labor and OWWA components, have a standing policy of helping any OFW, whether legally deployed or not.

But the POEA is limited to helping only the documented since its role is limited to regulating recruitment or manpower agencies. - D'Jay Lazaro, GMANews.TV

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