2 lawmakers want probe on OFWs in death row

MANILA, Philippines - Two legislators have called on the their colleagues in Congress to probe into the cases of over 100 Filipinos working abroad who are now in death row in various jails in six countries.

In House Resolution 444, Gabriela partylist representatives Luzviminda Ilagan and Emerenciana de Jesus urged House Committee on Foreign Affairs and Justice to conduct an inquiry into the plight of the OFWs who are detained in jails all over the world.

The lawmakers cited the latest date collated by a non-governmental group, Migrante International,  which showed that a total of 108 OFWs are now sitting in death row.

Citing the data of Migrante, Ilagan said there are some 7,000 OFWs who are still behind bars in various countries.

Ilagan said most of the 108 OFWs who are in death row in 69 jails and facing execution in China were accused of being drug couriers.

Ilagan said poverty and unemployment in the country force Filipinos to work abroad and become vulnerable preys for drug syndicates who pay a drug courier between $500 and $5,000.

Ilagan said the Philippine government should focus its efforts on OFWs who are in death row by hiring the services of competent lawyers to assist the Filipinos.

Ilagan cited Republic Act Nos. 8042 and 9422, which state that free access to the courts and quasi-judicial bodies and adequate legal assistance shall not be denied to any person by reason of poverty.

"In this regard, it is imperative that an effective mechanism be instituted to ensure that the rights and interests of distressed OFWs are adequately protected and safeguarded," Ilagan said.

Ilagan said the Legal Assistant for Migrant Workers Affairs under the Department of Foreign Affairs should be primarily responsible for the provision and over-all coordination of all legal assistance service to OFWs.