Fire, prosecute abusive RP envoy over trafficking of OFW — Migrante

News ReleaseAugust 26, 2007

For reference:  Connie Bragas-Regalado, Chairperson (0927-215-7392)

We challenge the DFA to recall, relieve and prosecute San Francisco Vice-Consul Anthony Mandap over revelations that he trafficked domestic worker Arlene Gado into the United States, says a global alliance of organizations composed of overseas Filipinos and their families.

 

“We’re outraged over the enslavement of domestic worker Arlene by Vice-Consul Mandap and his family.  His actions are reprehensible and is a slap in the face to the millions of OFWs toiling as domestic workers around the world.  We demand justice for Arlene and all Filipino women migrant workers,” says Connie Bragas-Regalado, Migrante International Chairperson from the sidelines of the 2^nd Women Migrant Workers’ Summit in Hong Kong.

 

Arlene agreed to come to the United States in 2005 to work as a domestic worker in Vice-Consul Mandap’s house.  But upon her arrival, Vice-Consul Mandap sent her to New Jersey – as part of his ‘filial responsibilities’ – to provide continuous care for his incapacitated father-in-law, clean their house, cook their meals, and give massages, manicures and pedicures to their relatives and friends.  She was paid slave wages amounting to only US$250 then US$350 monthly.  A US court recently awarded her US$78,000 or P3.6 million in back wages.

 “We’re certain these so-called ‘filial responsibilities’ shouldn’t come at the expense of the human rights of others.  Besides, what about his responsibilities as a diplomat of a nation propped up by the sweat and sacrifice of countless Filipino migrants,”  added Bragas-Regalado. 

“Vice-Consul Mandap violated national and international laws protecting the rights and welfare of migrant workers.  He even violated the DFA’s professed vision and mission regarding OFWs.  He is clearly guilty of trafficking and thus, has absolutely no moral basis and credibility as consular official,” she added, asserting that as Arlene’s “employer”, he had command responsibility over the horrendous conditions she lived and worked under.

 

According to Migrante International, Vice-Consul Mandap is guilty of trafficking as defined by Section 4 (a) of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.  This section says the following as an Act of Trafficking in Persons:  “To recruit, transport, transfer, harbor, provide, or receive a person by any means including those under the pretext of domestic or overseas employment…for the purpose of…forced labor, slavery (and) involuntary servitude.”

 

He also violated:

 

• Article 11 (a) of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families that says “No migrant worker or member of his family shall be held in slavery or servitude”;  and

 

• The Vision of the DFA that says among other things, “Our missions abroad are the partners of Filipinos overseas in the pursuit of the national interest and in the promotion and protection of their rights and well-being.”

 

Section 10 of RA 9208 says the penalty for those guilty of trafficking as defined under Section 4 result in the “penalty of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of not less than P1 million but not more than P2 million.”  #