The SUN HK : Unifil-Migrante calls for prosecution of Canada recruiters

Calagui posted this picture of him and Mabatid during a visit to the Consulate

A global migrants organization has called on the Philippine government to file human trafficking charges against a group led by the chief executive officer of a visa consultancy company, for recruiting overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong to go to Canada as students.

In a statement issued earlier today, Dolores Balladares of United Filipinos in Hong Kong, an affiliate of Migrante International, also called on the Philippine government to order Prisca Nina Mabatid to pay compensation to the OFWs who were each charged $18,700 (Php131,000) before realizing they could not qualify for the student visa.

Balladares accused Mabatid of carrying out human trafficking in other places where there are OFWs, citing statements she made in a live Facebook interview on June 19 with OFW blogger Bryan A. Calagui, who has been promoting her recruitment activities.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE!

In the interview, Mabatid reportedly said her group had been to Singapore, the Middle East and other places, but were not reported to the police, only in Hong Kong.

Mabatid, who is also the current barangay captain of Mabolo, Cebu, is listed in her social media accounts as the CEO of PinoyCare Visa Center – Opportunities Abroad, which is not accredited with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.

“We condemn Calagui and Mabatid's exploitation of OFWs, especially since Calagui is using his influence as a supporter of President Marcos Jr to promote this scam. His involvement in this scam is evident on his social media (pages),” said Balladares.

EXTENDED TO JUNE 30!!

At least 11 of the applicants said in a police complaint that they tried to ask Mabatid’s group for a refund but were rejected, and reminded of a memorandum of agreement they were made to sign after payment that barred them from filing a case, or asking for a refund.

“Any scheme that results in victimization of OFWs should be denounced. We will not tolerate this scam, and we are one with the workers in pursuing justice,” said Balladares.

“Unifil will exhaust all necessary efforts to push the Philippine government to go after and punish the illegal recruiters and traffickers.”

Calagui giving the welcome remarks at the June 18 recruitment seminar

Mabatid and her group conducted two “orientation” seminars in Hong Kong this year which were both promoted on social media by Calagui.

A number of those who attended the first seminar on February 19 paid the “discounted” processing fee of $18,700 within days, but said that they were dismayed to find out later that there was a long list of requirements that they must comply with to get to the next round.

Some also realized that the Php1million that Mabatid had promised to transfer to their bank accounts as a loan was actually only “show money” in support of their visa application and could not be used to pay for their tuition fee and other expenses.

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At least three of the applicants persisted and subsequently got a letter of acceptance from the schools they applied with, but also backtracked when told they needed to pay Php100,000 more as first installment for their tuition fee.

Eight of the applicants went to the police to complain on June 18, just as Mabatid and her group were carrying out another recruitment at Sunbeam Theater in North Point. After the police intervened, Mabatid promised to return the fee paid by the complainants.

However, she did not appear as promised at the Philippine Consulate on Sunday, June 25, so the complainants who were by then joined by three more applicants, immediately informed the police so the case could be elevated to the Immigration Department.

BASAHIN DITO

Also named in their complaint apart from Mabatid and Calagui were lawyer Russ Mark Gamallo and two female staff members of PCVC-Opportunities Abroad who all came to Hong Kong and took part in the two recruitment activities.

Consul Paulo Saret and Assistant Labor Attache Antonio Villafuerte who met with the complainants, said the Department of Migrant Workers in the Philippines had taken notice of their case, and a report on what transpired would be communicated directly to the office.

Apart from the police, the OFW complainants also took their grievance to Hong Kong’s Immigration and Labour Departments.