MANILA, Philippines - Vice President and presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) Noli De Castro disclosed yesterday that unauthorized agents have offered some of the families of the 10 Filipino workers killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan last month assistance for speedy processing of their insurance claims in exchange for fees and commissions.
De Castro learned from some of the families that they have been receiving calls from different people alleging that they can fast track the processing of their claims from employer AIM Group.
He warned the families against engaging the services of these unauthorized persons.
“We ask the legal heirs of these 10 victims to wait for the official communication from the employer, AIM group. The families should only talk to the representatives of AIM and no other regarding the possible death benefits they could claim,” De Castro said.
The Vice President said that the legal heirs of the victims are the beneficiaries of whatever benefits and claims will be granted by AIM.
“They are entitled to full benefits, so they should be cautious of people who are asking for commissions or fees. The heirs must directly deal with the authorized representatives of AIM,” he added.
He urged them to report these unauthorized agents to the Office of the Vice President (OVP), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) or Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
De Castro said on Thursday that only two bodies among the 10 Filipino passengers killed in the helicopter crash in Afghanistan last month have been identified and will be repatriated.
He said he received a report from Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Ricardo Endaya that the bodies of Leopoldo Jimenez and Manolito Hornilla were brought to Kuwait on Monday night.
Endaya said in his report that only the two bodies were recognizable while the bodies of the eight other Filipino workers were severely burned and needed DNA tests for identification.
The Philippine Embassy in Kuwait is facilitating the immediate repatriation of the remains of Jimenez and Hornilla.
Endaya said the eight other bodies will have to be brought to Maryland in United States for DNA testing, which is standard procedure for military-related incidents.
The Vice President assured the families of the victims that the government will help fast track the repatriation of the remains of the Filipino workers and help them claim the benefits from the victims’ employer.