QUEZON City Rep. Winston Castelo on Sunday asked the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and Department of Foreign Affairs to submit to Congress an inventory of all overseas Filipino workers who are languishing in jails or facing cases abroad.
Castelo, House committee on Metro Manila development chairman, said there is a need to review all such cases and map out a comprehensive legal assistance program and diplomatic actions to avert the execution of the beleaguered OFWs convicted of crimes.
“We have always been caught unawares of the reports about an OFW to face execution,” he said, referring to the recent case of Jakatia Pawa from Zamboanga del Norte, who was hanged in Kuwait for killing her employer’s 22-year-old daughter.
He said the House of Representatives would like to know the readiness and competence of OWWA and DFA to help distressed OFWs.
“We would like to find out exactly how many OFWs have been convicted or undergoing trial, the nature of their cases, the penalty they are
facing, what can be done to help them,” he added.
OWWA and DFA must not run out of solutions on how to help OFWs facing criminal charges, he said.
“Just tell Congress if they [agencies] do not have the needed funds to help our beleaguered OFWs so we can make the appropriation for their legal defense funds,” Castelo said.
OWWA and DFA should also present to Congress what efforts they have been exerting to brief OFWs on how to stay away from being involved in crimes and from being victimized by abusive employers forcing them to commit crimes.