Prov'l gov't spends P1.9 M for return of jailed Cebuanos

CEBU - The Cebu provincial government spent about P1.9 million for the return of the 23 Cebuanos now detained in Trinidad and Tobago.

Provincial Social Welfare and Development officer Marvic Garces told The FREEMAN yesterday that they already purchased tickets amounting to P1,897,983 for the return of the detained workers.

Charged to the General Fund of the Capitol, Garces said each ticket would cost P82,521.

“We already send the ticket via e-mail to Philippine honorary consul in Trinidad and Tobago, Maria Francisca Advani, which she will be the one to facilitate for their immediate release,” Garces said.

For their trip back home, the 23 Cebuanos will leave from the Port of Spain for Manila via London.

Advani had negotiated with the Trinidad and Tobago government regarding the Cebuano workers’ plight. The detained OFWs were then given a chance to return home as long as they would pay for their own airfare.

The Trinidad and Tobago government will file charges against them if they will not leave soon.

Two weeks ago, the families of the detained workers along with their legal counsel, Felipe Landicho, went to Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia seeking for assistance because some concerned government agencies have been slow in their response to their plight.

During their meeting, Garcia expressed disappointment since nobody from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) or the Philippine Overseas Welfare Administration (POEA) immediately issued an official statement since the news about the detention of Cebuano OFWs broke out.

The Cebuanos have been detained in Trinidad and Tobago last June 18 for allegedly possessing fake working documents. They were found to be carrying a contract that is good only for a month.

But after they were arrested for possession of fake passports, all of them reportedly wanted to return home for fear of being charged. — Garry B. Lao/LPM (THE FREEMAN)