Villar seeks help for Pinoy in 9/11 custody case

Sen. Manuel Villar asked the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) yesterday to assist a Filipino carpenter in New York who is fighting for custody of his two children after their mother died in the Sept. 11 bombing of the World Trade Center (WTC).

Villar, chairman of the Senate committee on foreign relations, said that the DFA must help Cesar Gabriel appeal a New York court ruling that awarded custody of his two children — seven-year-old Yvonne and five-year-old Angel — to their aunt.

"Parental love is irreplaceable and incomparable. The young children must not be deprived of their father’s love and care, especially now that they (have) lost their mother in a tragic accident," Villar said in a statement.

Gabriel has three kids with Benile Domingo but the eldest child, Daryl, lives with him. He and Domingo were not married.

Villar stressed that it is important for Gabriel, whose visa will expire in November, to appeal his case and exhaust all legal means to be awarded custody of his children.

Meanwhile, Villar called on the government to ensure that conditions are safe in Iraq before it decides to fully resume the deployment of Filipino workers to Baghdad.

Villar made the call in reaction to earlier reports that the government has recently dispatched the first set of Filipino workers hired by an oil exploration company in Northern Baghdad.

The government must conduct an extensive orientation for Filipino workers who would be deployed to Iraq so they will know the current situation in Baghdad, Villar said.

"Filipinos who will soon be working in Iraq should be provided with the necessary contact information of our offices in Baghdad in case an emergency situation arises," Villar added.

The senator urged the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to be transparent on the proper way to apply for a job in the oil-rich country after reports that recruiters are charging reservation fees from interested applicants

"By disseminating information on job openings in Iraq and the documentary requirements, applicants would know the right procedure and avoid being duped by unscrupulous recruiters," Villar said.

He cited that the government has projected hiring about 30,000 and 100,000 Filipino workers once the rehabilitation of Iraq begins.