21 distressed OFWs from Malaysia back in PHL

At least 21 overseas Filipino workers victimized by illegal recruiters returned home from Malaysia before dawn Friday.

Radio dzBB’s Denver Trinidad reported the 21 OFWs arrived with five children aboard a Cebu Pacific flight (5J-502).


The OFWs arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 past 5 a.m., the report said.

Those who arrived were: 

Johnny Sinaban, 22 (Quirino, Isabela); 

Romy Daligdig, 29 (Tanza, Cavite); 

Dennis Peralta, 29 (Quirino, Ilocos Sur); 

Ronaldo Closa, 34 (Saguday, Quirino); 

Jores Palma, 24 (San Jacinto, Pangasinan); 

Miriam Estenor, 38 (Talisay, Cebu); 

Melanie Fabrigas, 26 (Rosales, Pangasinan); 

Rolando Fernandez, 38 (Leloy, Zamboanga del Norte); 

Estella Joseco, 39 (Caloocan City); 

Ernesto Linocon, 45 (San Isidro, Davao Oriental); 

Manuel Natividad, 41(Tagum, Davao del Norte); 

Artemio Valuz, 52 (Binangonan, Rizal); 

Irene Valuz, 24 (Binangonan, Rizal); 

Emma Aronce (Binondo, Manila), 45; 

Jessette Bacani, 28 (Quezon City); 

Juvy Quinlat, 44 (Dingle, Iloilo); 

Ma. Arlene Santillan, 34; 

Mokrim Marwan, 28 (Sumisip, Basilan); 

Gemma Tegerro, 41 (Dasmarinas, Cavite); 

Mimi Marie Lozada, 35 (Ballesteros, Cagayan Valley); and 

Ramon Sto. Domingo, 47 (Cardona, Rizal).


However, the report did not say whether the OFWs were deployed separately or as a group for Malaysia.

Reporting from NAIA, GMA News reporter Ian Cruz said the return of the OFWs was facilitated by Senator Manuel Villar Jr. through his Sagip OFW program and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

"Hindi man tayo [pinalad] na pamunuan ang bansa hindi po tayo hihinto sa pagtulong sa mga kababayan natin na nangangailangan ng tulong sa ibang bansa. Patuloy po ang Sagip OFW sa pagtanggap ng tawag at pag-aalay ng serbisyo kasama ang ibang ahensya ng ating pamahalaan," VIllar said in a statement released Friday.

(Even if I was not fortunate enough to lead the country, I will not stop helping our fellow Filipinos who need help. Sagip OFW will continue on receiving distress calls and giving service together with other agencies of government)

Cruz added that the OFWs were to personally meet Villar in a restaurant along President Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard in Pasay City.

Villar had earlier partnered with the Blas F. Ople Policy Center and the Asian School of Hospitality Arts to initiate Skills-Up, a vocational skills scholarship program for victims of human trafficking and illegal recruitment.

Under the program, chosen scholars will undergo a three-month course on hotel housekeeping and barista. — with Kimberly Jane Tan/RSJ, GMANews.TV