Palace exec: No 'deadline' for DFA to finish sexploitation probe
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said President Benigno Aquino III did not give the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) a deadline to finish its probe on the alleged "sexploitation" of overseas Filipino workers at some Philippine embassies abroad.
However, Valte said Aquino wants the probe to be thorough.
“Wala namang naibigay. The president does not like giving timetables (pero) laging bilin ng Pangulong Aquino, conduct a thorough investigation with speed in mind but we’ll not sacrifice the quality of the investigation,” she said.
She also reiterated the government’s assurance of a fair probe, with punishments to be based on the evidence gathered.
“According to the DFA, pinabalik ang consuls general sa Middle East at ambassador natin para makabigay ng information. Dapat narito na sila para magbigay ng information to assist in the fact-finding investigation ,” Valte said on government-run dzRB radio on Saturday.
Arrival of envoys
A separate report on "Balitanghali" said some ambassadors started arriving at the DFA on Saturday.
The report emphasized that the ambassadors did not return to the Philippines as accused persons but merely as sources to shed light on the mess.
On Friday evening, DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said on his Twitter account that Philippine ambassadors and consuls general will be in Manila this weekend to help in the probe.
“Philippine ambassadors and consuls general from Middle East will be in Manila this weekend to help DFA's fact-finding exercise on reported sex-for-fly scheme,” Hernandez tweeted.
The envoys were asked to return to the Philippines after Rep. Walden Bello on Tuesday linked some Philippine officials to the supposed exploitation of distressed OFWs in the Philippine shelter in Amman.
Bello, chairman of the House committee on overseas workers' affairs, said three Philippine embassy and labor officials in the Middle East have been accused of sexually abusing (OFWs) in exchange for repatriation.
These alleged cases of exploitation were uncovered when Bello's committee investigated the reported "sex-for-flight" activities where overseas Pinays were allegedly offered repatriation by officials in exchange for sex.
On GMA News TV on Thursday, Bello revealed that the sources of his allegations were DFA and labor department officials in Manila, some of whom held senior positions.
However, Bello also admitted that he has yet to talk to any victims of the alleged overseas sex rings.
DFA hotlines
Also on Thursday, the DFA announced hotlines where overseas Filipino workers can report incidents of "sexploitation."
"Any complaint re sexual abuses committed in Philippine embassy or consulate, pls call 0928-8363756 / (632)834-4955 or email to contact@dfa.gov.ph," Hernandez said.
- VVP, GMA News
However, Valte said Aquino wants the probe to be thorough.
“Wala namang naibigay. The president does not like giving timetables (pero) laging bilin ng Pangulong Aquino, conduct a thorough investigation with speed in mind but we’ll not sacrifice the quality of the investigation,” she said.
She also reiterated the government’s assurance of a fair probe, with punishments to be based on the evidence gathered.
“According to the DFA, pinabalik ang consuls general sa Middle East at ambassador natin para makabigay ng information. Dapat narito na sila para magbigay ng information to assist in the fact-finding investigation ,” Valte said on government-run dzRB radio on Saturday.
Arrival of envoys
A separate report on "Balitanghali" said some ambassadors started arriving at the DFA on Saturday.
The report emphasized that the ambassadors did not return to the Philippines as accused persons but merely as sources to shed light on the mess.
On Friday evening, DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said on his Twitter account that Philippine ambassadors and consuls general will be in Manila this weekend to help in the probe.
“Philippine ambassadors and consuls general from Middle East will be in Manila this weekend to help DFA's fact-finding exercise on reported sex-for-fly scheme,” Hernandez tweeted.
The envoys were asked to return to the Philippines after Rep. Walden Bello on Tuesday linked some Philippine officials to the supposed exploitation of distressed OFWs in the Philippine shelter in Amman.
Bello, chairman of the House committee on overseas workers' affairs, said three Philippine embassy and labor officials in the Middle East have been accused of sexually abusing (OFWs) in exchange for repatriation.
These alleged cases of exploitation were uncovered when Bello's committee investigated the reported "sex-for-flight" activities where overseas Pinays were allegedly offered repatriation by officials in exchange for sex.
On GMA News TV on Thursday, Bello revealed that the sources of his allegations were DFA and labor department officials in Manila, some of whom held senior positions.
However, Bello also admitted that he has yet to talk to any victims of the alleged overseas sex rings.
DFA hotlines
Also on Thursday, the DFA announced hotlines where overseas Filipino workers can report incidents of "sexploitation."
"Any complaint re sexual abuses committed in Philippine embassy or consulate, pls call 0928-8363756 / (632)834-4955 or email to contact@dfa.gov.ph," Hernandez said.
- VVP, GMA News
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