Three Pinays refuse to lodge complaint after accusing PHL exec in Saudi of sexual abuse

Three overseas Filipina workers accused an embattled Philippine labor official in Saudi of sexual abuse but refused to file formal testimonies.

On "News To Go" Thursday, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the three Filipinas complained against Assistant Labor Attaché Antonio Villafuerte, who has repeatedly denied allegations of sexual abuse against him.

“They are not coming with statements with written complaints or statements so that's why ang magiging basis [ng investigation ay] yung press release ni Congressman Bello,” Baldoz said, adding that their decision complicates the investigation process.

“If they are not ready to come forward then that will weaken the case,” Baldoz said.

In a press briefing in June, Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello in June accused certain Philippine embassy officials in the Middle East of sexually abusing some OFWs.

However, Bello admitted earlier that he has yet to talk to an actual victim but cited senior ranking officials from both the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Labor and Employment as his sources.

Need for solid evidence

On Thursday's "News To Go," however, Baldoz said there needs to be solid evidence for the case and the investigation to roll out before they begin reprimanding people.

“May condemnation na agad. Hinihingi na kailangan silang tanggalin na sa pusisyon, kailangan iconvict na sila...isang side pa lang ang naririnig natin. We keep on reminding that there is such a thing as due process,” Baldoz explained.

She noted that up to now, no other OFWs have come out to support the claims of Bello on the alleged sexual abuses performed by the three Philippine officials .

Still, she said the DOLE remains determined to get to the bottom of the case. Their fact-finding team is already in Kuwait to get more details before heading to Riyadh and Jordan.

The DOLE has also sent 14 new welfare and labor officers, mostly women, to the operation centers and OFW shelters in Jordan, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

Baldoz also said she expects the case to be resolved by the end of July. — Andrei Medina, VVP, GMA News

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