Exploited Pinoys to appear as witnesses in US trial

MANILA, Philippines - US authorities have not arrested, detained or charged with any offense undocumented Filipinos allegedly exploited in convenience stores in New York and Virginia, according to the Philippine consul general in New York.

Consul General Mario de Leon said the Filipinos are considered victims of exploitation and will appear as witnesses in a hearing scheduled at the Eastern District Court of New York on July 18.

The Philippine embassy in Washington and the consulate general in New York are in touch with US authorities in connection with the investigation of the reported exploitation of undocumented Filipinos working in various 7-Eleven stores in New York and Virginia.

Acting on instructions of Ambassador Jose Cuisia Jr., De Leon and  Labor Attaché Luzviminda Padilla have contacted the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office and the Eastern District Court of New York to inquire about the status of the case.

In a statement from Kingston, Jamaica, where he presented his credentials as non-resident ambassador, Cuisia said consular and legal assistance will be extended to the Filipinos, including Ramon Nanas of Great River, New York, who was among nine persons indicted in connection with the case.

“We also want to check the condition of the Filipino nationals involved in order to determine the kind of assistance that could be extended to them,” he said. US authorities have not released the names of the more than 50 employees of various 7-Eleven stores in New York and Virginia, including an undetermined number of Filipinos, Cuisia said.

Quoting the US Department of Justice, De Leon said the employees were exploited, their wages stolen, and they were required to live in unregulated boarding houses.  

Nanas and eight others, who have been described as owners or managers of at least 14 7-Eleven stores in Long Island and Norfolk, were indicted for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, stealing identities and concealing and harboring illegal aliens.

The Eastern District Court of New York said the investigation of the case may involve other undocumented foreigners working in other 7-Eleven stores in several states.