PHL recalls labor attaché in Hong Kong




The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has recalled the labor attaché in Hong Kong pending investigation on the complaint filed against him, GMA News TV's State of the Nation With Jessica Soho reported on Monday.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the recall was not a punishment but part of the due process afforded to Jalilo dela Torre, who is accused of favoring a certain party during an accreditation process.
A report on the South China Morning Post said Dela Torre is known for his strong views against human traffickers and unscrupulous employment agencies.
On Facebook, Dela Torre said a "human trafficker" in Turkey "has just taken credit for my recall."

"Either this proves that they are involved somehow or they are taking advantage of the situation to advance their own predatory human trafficking operations," he said. "Cheap shot."
The SCMP report said the memo sent to Dela Torrre informing him of his recall did not provide any justification. He received the memo Friday.
The report also said Dela Torre, who has been labor attaché in Hong Kong for two years already, "was taken by surprise" by his recall.
Some Filipino workers in Hong Kong, meanwhile, held a rally in support of Dela Torre, the State of the Nation report said. According to them, it was assistant labor attache Nena Herman who should be removed from her post for alleged corruption.
GMA News was still trying to reach Herman for her comment.
On Facebook, Dela Torre said he is thankful for the support given to him by the Filipino community in Hong Kong.
"I feel blessed and privileged to receive the support of the Filipino community in HK," he said as he vowed to continue his fight against "illegal recruiters, rogue agencies and human traffickers."
Hong Kong is home to 201,094 Filipinos, many of them domestic workers. —KBK, GMA News

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