OFW in bullet incident gets job back

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino domestic helper Gloria Ortinez got her job back, but will still pursue the fight against the “tanim bala” (bullet planting) scheme.

OFW advocate Susan Ople yesterday reported that Ortinez’s employer has expressed willingness to issue a new contract after terminating the Filipina worker for failing to arrive on the agreed date.

Ortinez was already bound for Hong Kong when she fall prey to a racket at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), where victims are reportedly asked huge sums to settle the issue. Those unable to pay are either not allowed to leave or are charged in court.

Ople said Ortinez and her employer met again last Monday and agreed on a settlement and the possibility of rehiring. The OFW’s employer terminated her contract after she failed to return because of the bullet planted in her luggage.

Ople added that the employer had a change of mind when she realized how emotionally affected her son was when she decided to terminate the OFW and because she sympathized with Ortinez who became a victim.

“Nanay Gloria (Ortinez) was surprised to receive a call from her employer. She (employer) was sorry and said her son cried the whole night and refused to eat breakfast before going to school,” Ople narrated.

“The employer then invited Nanay Gloria to meet her at a small restaurant across her apartment,” Ople added. 

During the meeting, Ortinez informed her about the tanim bala incident and her employer sympathized with her. Ople said after the meeting, the employer promised not to replace Ortinez with a new helper.

Yesterday, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz assured Ortinez of re-employment abroad as she tasked the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to look for other jobs and facilitate hiring.