Migrante Europe

Category: Press release

  • Protect the Filipinos, Protect our Human Rights

    Protect the Filipinos, Protect our Human Rights

    The Duterte Government failed to address holistically the COVID-19 pandemic! From the very start, he played a clown to address the crisis—telling the Filipino people that the government has enough money to address the crisis, and can face the crisis. And months into this lockdown, he is now telling the Filipino people that the government has no more money.

    The Duterte Government employed military solution, instead of the medical approach to the crisis. Thus, our consistent call for the crisis resounds—Solusyong Medikal, Hindi Solusyong Militar! Adding to the record of human rights violations they are inflicting on the communities and the poor; and even emboldening themselves as the powerful implementor of the COVID government response. Likewise, we are adding our call to re-channel the ₱379 billion approved budget of both the AFP and PNP (2020 General Appropriations Act) to COVID-19 pro-people response.

    The Duterte Government used Congress to approve a corrupt-ridden economic band-aid to the health crisis, the so-called ‘government response package’ worth ₱1.49 trillion. Intending to initially spend the amount of  ₱648.521 billion to address the crisis, and more than half of the amount funded from loans; the government already released the amount of ₱350 billion. Ironically, in the midst of the pandemic, the approval of the US-Duterte arms deal worth ₱75 billion. Adding in the budget line-up: military, tourism, infrastructure, among others—marked by a capitalist greed! Aware that all these figures will be a burden to us Filipinos. Thus, our call is to consistently insist and pursue the root cause of our economic crisis, not this pro-business, pro-profit and graft-tainted solution!

    The Duterte Government shows its vindictive attitude on the critical media agencies; currently, it successfully shutdown the ABS-CBN media network; a glaring sacrilege to press freedom; aware of the role of media in information dissemination on issues and updates on national issues and of the current COVID crisis.

    The Duterte Government employs a business approach of imposing the mandatory increase of PhilHealth premium of OFWs (Overseas Foreign Workers); we echo the common sentiment of the working Filipinos abroad to scrap the PhilHealth Circular No. 2020-0014 as we call for Public Health Not Profit!

    The Duterte Government continues to employ the barbarity of the state forces to address the pandemic; manifested by the killings of ordinary citizens and activists during the crisis, continued harassment on far-flung communities; the unfounded accusations of NPA attacks, the red-tagging on legal pro-people organizations and leaders (like Fr. Raymond Ambray of Surigao); and the criminal pricing of rebel leaders.

    The Duterte Government is displaying its military force in every corner of our islands; from guarding of the towns and cities to the distribution of cash aid; up to the pursuit of activists and identified organized communities, implementing violence tainted military-adventurism even during the crisis.

    All these are utter disgust to the Filipino People, Rodrigo Duterte manifests the vulture-face of this crisis, taking advantage politically of our vulnerabilities.

    The Duterte Government is not Protecting the Filipinos and is not Protecting our Human Rights. Resist Duterte’s approach to the COVID-19 pandemic! Oust Duterte!#

    Reference:

    Stella Matutina
    ICHRP Europe
    [email protected]

    Bishop Antonio Ablon
    Europe Network for Justice and Peace in the Philippines
    [email protected]

    Marlon Lacsamana
    Migrante-Europe
    [email protected]

    Andrew Rex Manalang
    Anakbayan-Europa
    [email protected]

     

     

     

     

     

  • DUTERTE GOVERNMENT IS HEARTLESS TO THE WORKERS AND OFWS

    DUTERTE GOVERNMENT IS HEARTLESS TO THE WORKERS AND OFWS

    Press Statement
    01 May 2020

    For today’s commemoration of International Labor Day, Migrante Europe joins the Global Kalampagan to hold President Duterte and his corrupt government accountable for the heartlessness and brutal response in this time of the pandemic.

    We are outraged by the government’s failure and incapacity to address the emergency crises of Filipinos in the homefront and overseas. The Social Amelioration Program (SAP) and the Abot Kamay ang Pagtulong (AKAP) of DOLE failed to reach the broadest workers and their families. Abroad, thousands of Filipinos are now fed up with the delayed economic aid.

    We are disgusted with the cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment of the government towards the Filipino people during lockdown particularly in Metro Manila and nearby cities. The returning and repatriated OFWs, both land and sea based were not spared from this inhumanity. They were forced to suffer unhealthy, unhygienic, and undignified conditions. Social distancing was completely violated.

    How shameful is this government of Duterte! We are heroes before and today we are treated like rugs! Treating us like milking cows for 2 decades and abandoning us in today’s crises, the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhiliHealth) reiterates the increase for OFW premium payments. Under PhilHealth Circular 2020-0014 dated April 02, 2020, the agency mandates OFWs whose monthly income ranges from P10,000 to P60,000 to pay 3.0%, an increase from 2.75% in 2019.

    The Duterte government is against the poor and against the Filipino people. It was evident in his drug war and pro-China policy even during the time of the pandemic.

    We laud the host countries of migrants and Filipino workers who are more responsive to the health crises. We strongly favored the Taiwanese government’s rejection of the Philippine government’s recent move to deport the Filipina worker in Taiwan who was critical of President Rodrigo Duterte. Mocha Uson should step down now as OWWA Deputy Administrator and other public officials who are a disgrace and betrays OFWs trust.

    Enough of Duterte! Enough of his lies and deceit of change! Enough of his corrupt official’s abuse of power! Enough of violence and suppression of our legitimate rights! Enough of threats and red-tagging of OFWs and progressive groups particularly in Europe!

    Filipinos in Europe and abroad, stand, resist, and unite for workers and OFWs!

    NO TO PHILHEALTH INCREASE!
    OFW ASSISTANCE NOW!
    AYUDA NGAYON NA!
    SOLUSYONG MEDIKAL HINDI MILITAR!
    REGULARIZATION NOW!
    OUST MOCHA OSUN!
    OUST DUTERTE!

    For reference:

    Marlon Lacsamana
    Secretary General, Migrante Europe
    Email: [email protected]

  • PRESS STATEMENT OF MIGRANTE CENTRAL VISAYAS ON NATIONAL MIGRANT WORKERS’ DAY

    June 7, 2018

    Today, we commemorate the National Migrant Workers’ Day. Today, we give high commendation and honor to our Overseas Filipino Workers. However, today, we also demand justice for all OFWs and all Filipino people who are forced to leave their families and loved ones in order to seek for job opportunities abroad and in order to suffice the economic needs of their families because of insufficient employment, depressed wages, and severe working condition in our country.

    We value this day as a result of the unified global protest of our OFWs and the Filipino people after the death of Flor Contemplacion, a persecuted domestic helper in Singapore. 23 years have passed since President Fidel V. Ramos signed into law the Republic Act No. 8042 otherwise known as the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995- AN ACT TO INSTITUTE THE POLICIES OF OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT AND ESTABLISH A HIGHER STANDARD OF PROTECTION AND PROMOTION OF THE WELFARE OF THE MIGRANT WORKERS THEIR FAMILIES AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS IN DISTRESS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES, there is still no significant development in the situation of our OFWS. The government claims that the Labor Export Program will bring development to our nation, however this remains a myth and gets even worse under the administration of President Duterte.

    No change has come
    During the first month of President Duterte in office, his administration was welcomed with the issue of about 60,000 OFWs in Saudi Arabia who have been greatly affected and lost their jobs and benefits during the economic crisis in Saudi.

    As a response to the clamor of OFWs, the Duterte administration sent a team in Saudi Arabia to address the situation of our fellow Filipinos. Out of 60,000 affected, the government only targeted to help 11,000 OFWs and only 9 companies. The budget used came from OWWA trust fund from the money of our OFWs and not even a centavo came from the pocket of our government. Not all have been given proper services by our government, only 20% have been aided. Thousands have been left unpaid and did not receive their benefits.

    Instead of rescuing our OFWs from Saudi, the Philippine government encouraged them and even facilitated their transfer of work despite the looming economy and the shut-down of big companies.

    Another also happened in Kuwait, a home to 270,000 OFWs who are mostly women working as domestic helpers. 10,800 were undocumented OFWs who wished to avail the amnesty program. Worst, many OFWs died in Kuwait including Joanna Demafelis. A lot have also been reported to be rape victims, physically abused, and more.

    Despite the increasing crisis on the welfare of our OFWs, there was no deployment ban set by our government. Moreover, the Duterte Administration even set a talk with China and Russia being the alternative destination of our OFWs who came from Kuwait.

    Worsening Economic Policies and Programs
    As the year started, Filipino people have been attacked by the anti-poor and anti-people tax reform dubbed as the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law or TRAIN LAW. There have been an abrupt and incessant hike of prices of basic commodities and services while no stable jobs created in our country and wages of our workers remained to be meager.
    Our OFWS is one of the sectors who gets direct impact especially in the increase of collection of basic documents that are required for their work abroad such as birth certificate which costs P155 per copy from P140 and CENOMAR which costs P210 from P195.
    While it is noted that no increase in the documentary stamp tax on remittances, monitoring on remittance centers such as the Western Union automatically deducted 0.15% DST for every 200 USD transaction of the BSP.
    The TRAIN Law of Duterte is meant to collect additional tax from the Filipino people as a source of debt payment under his Build, Build, Build Projects which will result to displacement of lives and livelihood, and destruction of our environment. In Cebu, it is masked under the MEGA Cebu project. It is expected that because of these projects, more and more Filipino will be forced to work abroad.
    Moreover, this year, thousands graduated from the first batch of the K12 program of the government. As promised by the government to implement the reform in the education curriculum in order to at par with foreign nations, the K12 program only delivered graduates who will add to the long list of sources of cheap labor for foreign market.
    The development always uttered by our government is nothing but absurd development only intended for the rich businessmen and families in the country. The policies and programs implemented are not meant for our national development rather, these will only result to forced migration of our people. Our OFWs and the rest of the Filipino people are always neglected. RA 8042 remains to be a decoration and a document but cannot really uphold its mandate to protect the rights and promote the welfare of our OFWs.
    Genuine development does not need to provide labor force to be sent overseas. Genuine development means jobs created in the country for national development to be felt even in the grassroots level; and that means genuine agrarian reform for our farmers, the sector where majority of our OFWs are coming from, and national industrialization as the key for job employment in our own country.
    Today, as we remember the National Migrant Workers’ Day, we shout in full conviction: “Serbisyo, hindi Negosyo! Proteksyon, hindi Koleksyon! Trabaho sa Pinas, hindi sa Labas! STOP the LABOR EXPORT PROGRAM!”

    Reference:
    Ms. Connie Bragas-Regalado
    Migrante Coordinator for Central Visayas and National Council Member, MIGRANTE Philippines
    CP#0933 650 3487.

  • Migrants Of The World Unite, Resist And Fight!

    Migrants Of The World Unite, Resist And Fight!

    Press Statement

    “Today, as we commemorate the 17th year of International Migrants Day, let us remember all migrants from different parts of the globe who are forced to flee their homes and their countries for urgent need and survival. Let us remember that every person deserved a free and dignified life, and so the migrants and refugees,“
    – Fr. Herbert Fadriquela Jr. Chairperson, Migrante Europe

    While many people, the global elite and the privileged are enjoying the freedom of movement, but not for millions of people who are daily facing discrimination, inhumane labor condition, anti-migrants and anti-people policies not just from their host countries but from the countries of their origin.

    With Donald Trump’s policy of fear against immigrants in the United States, as his critics described it as cruel and unconstitutional, about 800,000 young immigrants future are in uncertainties. Mr. Trump’s deporting criminals is in his top priority list. The Trump government definitions of criminals are undocumented workers and their families, students, and simple people who used to have normal daily lives, but now, under Trump’s government, their normal lives and dreams were shuttered and much worse, if you are a Muslim, any moment you will be suspected or accused as security threats.

    Migrants in UK Dec. 17, 2017

    How is EU coping with migration and refugees, after the tragedy in Lampedusa with 359 confirmed deaths when the boat carrying migrants from Libya to Italy sank in the said island? With unprecedented influx of migrants and refugees in 2015 and 2016, today European Union intensified efforts to prevent African migrants from traveling north. In Italy, with the blessing of European Union, Italy is off shoring its Mediterranean migration problem to Libya. In spite of reported cooperation funding and investment of millions of Euros to improve conditions in Libyan camp, the migrant detention center at Abu Salim is reportedly horrifying and degrading. Detainees are subjected to forced labor, beatings, torture and rape.

    While in other parts of Europe, the ongoing refugee crisis and attacks by armed extremists in Belgium, France, and Germany reinforced xenophobic, Islamophobic and anti-immigrant sentiment, manifest in attacks on Muslims, migrants and even members of advocacy groups and activists in many EU states.

    After the deadly attack in France in 2015, President Francois Hollande declared the state of emergency; it was renewed and extended until July 2017. Under the emergency law, police carried out almost 4,000 warrantless raids, and placed 400 people under house arrests. Mostly targeted were Muslims and led to abuses of the rights to liberty, privacy, freedom of movement, and discrimination.

    In the United Kingdom, after Brexit, Britain intends to approach the politically charged issue of immigration, dramatically refocusing policy to put British workers first. The determination to end free movement to skilled EU migration, end the role of the European court of justice in family migration and may create a hostile environment for long-term EU migrants without residence permits.

    Philippine migration

    As of April 2017, the number of overseas Filipinos abroad was estimated at 2.2 million, excluding undocumented workers, which are doubled in number.

    Migrants in Italy Dec. 16, 2017

    The Philippine government has long lauded the fact that, every day, some 6,000 Filipinos are sent abroad to work. The remittances they send back keep the Philippine economy afloat. Instead of addressing poverty or lack of jobs at home, the government continues to implement the corrupt Labor Export Policy (LEP) in connivance with the host governments like the United States and other countries to maintain a steadily increasing flow of cheap, temporary migrant labor.

    Exorbitant fees to OFWs are just unnecessary like the mandatory Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC). The Duterte government had promised to scrap OEC and instead to issue an iDOLE or OFW card to be granted free of charge. But in reality is not really free and does not really replace the OEC.

    In Clark International Airport, the collection of 600 pesos terminal fee to OFWs continues, in spite the fact that DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello issued an order for travel tax and terminal fees exemption to OFWs; lamented Migrante Firenze Chair. Richard Torres Garcia.

    Events and protest on International Migrants Day in Europe

    Amidst of ongoing political repression and threats against migrants, no state forces succeed in blocking the courageous migrants on the streets to shout, to protests, to resist and to fight for their fundamental rights.

    Last Saturday, December 16, the Umangat Migrante and Gabriela Rome members joined the march of thousands of migrants in Italy that paralyzed the usual busy traffic of the city of Rome. Outrages migrants carried the placards and banners calling for the rights of migrants

    without borders, right to citizenship of children born in Italy, a general amnesty and regularization of undocumented migrants.

    In the United Kingdom yesterday, OFWs led by Filipino Domestic Workers Association (FDWA) gathered and call to stop the criminalization of undocumented migrants, and reminded politician and governments that migrants are people and not commodities.

    The exodus of people from poorest countries to overseas, particularly Filipinos will rapidly increase as long as the root causes of forced migration remain unsolved, if national industrialization is just an unfulfilled promise, and if the future of the country is being handed to foreign capitalists.

    Migrants of the world unite, resist and fight!

    Stop exploitation and commodification of migrant workers!

    Trabaho sa Pilipinas, hindi sa labas ng bansa!

    For reference:
    Fr. Herbert Fadriquela Jr.
    Chairperson, Migrante Europe

    Email:
    [email protected]
    [email protected]

    Anglican Chaplain for the Filipino Community
    Diocese of Leicester UK

    Mobile: +44 7456 042156

  • The Diminishing Respect for Human Rights in the Philippines

    The Diminishing Respect for Human Rights in the Philippines

    Filipino migrants and solidarity friends in Rome Dec. 7, 2017

    Press Statement
    10 December 2017

    “Is the promised of change possible by the Duterte government, while the nation becomes the bloodshed of unjust killings and terror? In a state where life and dignity of every person have no more values but hatred for the poor and oppressed?” Fr. Herbert Fadriquela, Chairperson Migrante Europe

    On the 18th month of Duterte’s Presidency, he turns the state into much alarming human rights situation. His anti-poor campaigns, the war on drugs and withdrawal on peace talks, have put the most marginalized sector of Filipinos in vulnerability and abuse; indeed the European communities became vocal on strong criticism against Duterte’s arrogance and madness, his dictatorship, and fascist rule.

    Most Filipinos remain poor despite Duterte’s anti-poverty pledge “to transform the Philippines into a prosperous, predominantly middle-class society.” Recently, when the urban poor headed by Kadamay who trooped to NHA to demand the distribution of idle houses, they were confronted by violent dispersal by the state security forces and results to the serious injuries to protesters and the illegal arrest and detention of a Migrante campaign staff.

    It is estimated that 44% of the urban population live in slums (UN-Habitat). In Manila, 3.1 million are homeless. An estimated 1.2 million children sleep rough, with more than 70.000 in Manila. A genuine housing program for the poor and homeless is the economic, social and cultural right to adequate housing and shelter. Economic prosperity is an illusion when a great number of populations are denied proper housing right.

    Duterte’s notorious war on drug triggered an international alarm and global protests of human rights advocacies group and Migrante chapters abroad. As of August 2017, the death toll has now reached 13,000. An estimated 3,451 “drug personalities” have been killed in gun battles. Another 2,000 more died in drug-related homicides, including attacks by masked gunmen on the motorcycle and other assaults, while the 8,200 homicide cases are under investigation.

    Since June 2016, when Duterte took office, there have been at least 30 minors killed. The killing of Kian de Los Santos, 17 years old and a son of an OFW, who witnesses said was falsely accused of being a drug dealer, heightened mass protests, and outrages over Duterte’s ruthless war on drugs.

    Much worse, following Duterte’s issuance of proclamation 360, formally terminating peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) last November 23, members of human rights fact-finding mission in Negros Oriental were attacked by suspected state forces that claimed the lives of Elisa Badayos, regional coordinator of KARAPATAN, and peasant organizer Eleuterio Moises. With the government tagging CPP-NPA as a terrorist group and accusing progressive militant organizations of conspiracy, there will be more killings, illegal arrests, and detention of activists and mass leaders.

    According to KARAPATAN, from July 2016 to November 2017, there were 924 illegal arrests without detention and 256 arrests in detention. Currently, there are 449 political prisoners facing trumped-up charges, including Bishop Carlos Morales, who was arrested last May.

    Bishop Morales, the Bishop of Ozamis in the Iglesia Filipina Independiente, or Philippine Independent Church (IFI), was charged with “illegal possession of firearms and ammunitions.” According to the World Council of Churches (WCC), Bishop Morales is a respected church leader from the IFI, a member church of the World Council of Churches, and is well known for his activism for dialogue, justice, and peace in Mindanao.

    Amid the crackdown and mass arrest, the human rights advocacy groups and broadest Filipino mass organizations and abroad including Migrante Europe will continue its fight against all forms of repressions and oppression by the present regime.

    From December 10, the International Human Rights Day and the International Migrants Day on December 18, Migrante Europe and its chapters, members, and allied organization will hold protests, significant events to denounce the human rights violations committed by the state security forces and the Duterte government against the Filipino people.

    The following cities in Europe will hold protest and actions on the said occasion above:

    December 10 – AALST Belgium –Stop the Killings
    December 10 – Migrante France
    December 11 – Migrante The Hague, Netherlands – Filipino Against Corruption
    And Tyranny
    December 11 – Brussels – Stop the Killings International
    December 16 – Rome – Italy wide protest for Migrants and Refugees on “Rights without Borders.

  • Filipino migrants condemn the murder of Fr. Tito Paez

    Filipino migrants condemn the murder of Fr. Tito Paez

    Press Statement | 04 December 2017

    LONDON – Migrante-Europe condemns in the strongest possible terms the murder of Father Marcelito “Tito” Paez, Central Luzon coordinator of the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP-CL), earlier today, 04 December 2017. Father Tito was driving along a road in Jaen town, Nueva Ecija, at around 8:00 pm Manila time, when he was attacked by armed assailants on a motorcycle. He was rushed to a hospital in San Leonardo town but died while being treated.

    Earlier today, Father Tito facilitated the release of political prisoner Rommel Tucay from the Nueva Ecija Provincial Jail in Cabanatuan City. Tucay, an organizer of the Peasant Alliance of Central Luzon (AMGL) was arrested from his house in March this year by elements of the 56th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army.

    Father Tito belongs to the Diocese of San Jose City and was the former parish priest of Nampicuan and Guimba towns, in Nueva Ecija province. He is well known for his progressive advocacies. In the 1980s he was one of the leaders of the Central Luzon Alliance for a Sovereign Philippines (CLASP), which campaigned for the removal of the US military bases in Central Luzon and other parts of the country. He also took active part in the campaign against the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant. 

    For leading church activities for the poor and other victims of human rights violations, Father Tito had been threatened and harassed by elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and paramilitary groups under past governments, especially that of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Father Tito is the first Roman Catholic priest to be assassinated under the Rodrigo

    Duterte government. In addition, human rights group KARAPATAN reported as of October 2017 that there are 104 cases of political killings, four massacres, 20 incidents of forced evacuation among the Lumads, and 17 aerial bombings under the Duterte administration.

    We call on the Duterte government to uphold the rule of law and go after these dastardly armed elements targeting the civilian population. We demand that the perpetrators of these heinous crimes be identified, arrested, prosecuted and punished to the full extent of the law.

    We express our deepest sympathies to the family, friends and colleagues of Father Tito. The legacy of his service to the poor and downtrodden will live on in the hearts of the people.

    We call on migrant Filipinos and friends of the Filipino people in Europe to heighten our vigilance against the ever-increasing brutality of the Duterte government. Let us join the Filipino people in the home country and in many parts of the world on 10 December 2017, the International Human Rights Day to condemn the increasing fascist character of the Duterte government. Let us gather in front of the Philippine Embassies and Consular Offices in the countries in Europe to continue raising our voices against these atrocities. With our linked arms, let us strengthen even more our solidarity with the Filipino people in their continuing fight for genuine democracy, economic and social development and national liberation. 

    Justice for Father Marcelito “Tito” Paez!
    Justice for all victims of political killings in the Philippines!
    Justice for all victims of human rights violations in the Philippines!

  • Migrante Europe holds dialogue with DOLE Sec. Bello

    Migrante Europe holds dialogue with DOLE Sec. Bello

    Press Statement | February 16, 2017

    Leaders of Migrante Europe held a dialogue with Secretary Silvestre Bello III (Department of Labor and Employment, DOLE) and Dr. Jun Cruz, Director of OWWA in Holiday Inn, EUR Parco Dei Medici, Rome last January 24, on the sidelines of the 3rd round of peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

    Ann Brusola, Secretary General of Migrante Europe, took part in the dialogue. She said that her group was looking forward for positive news after almost six months when they presented the Migrant’s Agenda to Sec. Bello and the GRP negotiating panel in Oslo, Norway, during the first round of peace talks.

    Among the urgent issues which Migrante Europe presented to Sec. Bello were: protection for undocumented Filipino migrants; lobbying for the regularization of the undocumented; legal assistance for those who are in distress and victims of abuse; and the unconditional scrapping of unjust and excessive fees like airport terminal fees, Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC), travel tax, and consular fees.

    Sec. Bello III explained that the government of President Rodrigo Duterte wants to make things easier for overseas Filipino workers. According to Bello, under Pres. Duterte’s administration, all government agencies and offices related to procurement and processing of documents is now situated in one building. He further added that Filipinos abroad keep the Philippine economy afloat. The government accumulated PhP5 billion from unreimbursed terminal fees, about PhP19 billion for the OWWA fund, and US$28 billion a year from the remittances of Filipino migrant workers.

    Sec. Bello III stated that it is the intention of Pres. Duterte that one day all Filipinos working abroad are send back home for good.

    Migrante’s Brusola explained that the lives of Filipino migrants are getting harder everyday because of the economic and financial crises in Europe. It is especially difficult in Italy and Greece, which are amongst the countries hardest hit by the still worsening economic crises. “We have no intention of staying forever abroad,” Brusola stressed, “we dream for a better life in the Philippines with our loved ones. But as long as the government cannot guarantee a more dignified and economically stable life for us, efficient and corruption-free social services for every Filipino, we have no choice but to remain working abroad.”

    With Sec. Bello III were OWWA Dir. Dr. Jun Cruz, and Rome Labor Attaché Ponciano M. Ligutom who promised a monthly dialogue with Migrante organizations to discuss issues and concerns of migrant Filipinos in Italy. Finally both parties arranged for a quarterly meeting in Rome.

    Richard Torres Garcia, Coordinator of Migrante Firenze, expressed the need for a consular office in Florence, where there are about 15,000 Filipinos residing in the city. Sec. Bello promised to study the proposal and to be implemented through consultation with Migrante Firenze. At present there is an Italian Honorary Consul in Florence. Labor Attache Libuton promised a monthly extension services in Florence.

    Other migrant leaders who were present during the dialogue discussed other vital issues from their respective places: Aldo Gonzalez of  Migrante The Hague  expressed his concern for the undocumented Filipinos in the Netherlands and appeal to the government to lobby for regularization and bilateral talks with the host country; Darwin Timbol of Migrante Mantova lamented the excessive government fees and unjust government policies toward overseas Filipinos; Edgardo Bonzon of Migrante Partylist Rome and Tedy Dalisay of Socio-Cultural and Sports Committee of Sentro Filipino Catholic Chaplaincy pressed issues on human trafficking and asked the government to intervene and to make concrete moves regarding these issues.

    Migrante Europe and its member organizations are actively campaigning for the continuation of formal peace talks between the GRP and NDFP, in order to address the root causes of the armed conflict in the country, and resolve the worsening poverty and forced migration of Filipinos.#

    For references:

    Revd Fr. Herbert F. Fadriquela Jr.
    Chairperson, Migrante Europe

    Chaplain to the Filipino Community
    Diocese of Leicester
    Church of England

    Email: [email protected]
    Mobile No: +447456042156

    Ann Brusola
    Secretary General, Migrante Europe
    Email: [email protected]
    Mobile No. (+39)-3278825544

  • Migrante Europe condemned the re-arrest of NDFP peace consultant and the termination of JASIG

    Migrante Europe condemned the re-arrest of NDFP peace consultant and the termination of JASIG

    Press Statement
    On re-arrest of NDFP peace consultants and termination of JASIG
    February 9, 2017

    “We strongly condemn the re-arrest of NDFP Peace Consultant Ariel Arbitario, by the Armed Forces of the Philippines on, February 7, 2017. This happen right after after the verbal announcement of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte terminating the formal peace talk between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines. We call on the Philippine government and the NDFP to resume the peace negotiations with the compelling reason to address the root causes of the armed conflict.”  Migrante Europe Chairperson Father Herbert Fadriquela Jr said on the re-arrest of NDFP peace consultant and the termination of Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) by the GRP.

    Arbitrario and his two companions, Jun Sinday and Roderick Mamuyac, were hold at a military checkpoint in Totil, Davao City at 10am on February 7, 2017. Mamuyac is a labor organizer of Kilusang Mayo Uno Southern Mindanao region. The three were brought to the Criminal Investigation and detection group XI (CIDG-XI) office in camp Leonor, San Pedro, Davao City. CIDG personnel will reportedly bring Arbitrario to the Regional Trial Court 11 Branch 1in Nabunturan, Compostela Valley. Mamuyac was also arrested on trumped up charges of murder using an alias warrant, while Sinday was released.

    The arrest of Arbitrario happened before Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process give formal notice to the National Democratic Front of the Philippines to the termination of the JASIG (Joint Agreement on the Safety and Immunity Guarantee) that aims to protect GRP and NDPF participants and consultants to the peace process from surveillance, harassments, search, arrest, detention, and interrogation or any other similar punitive action.

    Arbitrario, along with his brother Crispulo, an engineer were illegally arrested on February 16, 2016 under trumped-up charges of murder and attempted murder. They were detained at the Provincial Rehabilitation Center (PRC) in Compostela Valley before he was released to participate in the peace talks. Crispulo is still in prison.

    Father Herbert also condemned the statement of PNP Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa calling to arrest at least thirteen NDFP peace consultants. “They have rights to due process and the order of arrest is baseless,” he stated.

    Migrante Europe called on to President Duterte and to the Philippine government to immediately release Arbitrario and all political prisoners, to withdraw the government termination of JASIG and to respect the previously signed CARHRIHL or Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law. 

    Migrante Europe is a progressive and patriotic alliance of Filipino migrant’s organizations that uphold and promote the rights and welfare of the migrant sector and along with basic Filipino masses struggle for sovereignty and national democracy. 

    For references:

    Revd Fr. Herbert F. Fadriquela Jr.
    Chairperson, Migrante Europe

    Chaplain to the Filipino Community
    Diocese of Leicester
    Church of England

    Email: [email protected]
    Mobile No: +447456042156

    Ann Brusola
    Secretary General, Migrante Europe
    Email: [email protected] 
    Mobile No. (+39)-3278825544

  • Migrante Europe organizations celebrate International Migrants’ Day

    Migrante Europe organizations celebrate International Migrants’ Day

    Press Release

    Several member organizations of the newly-launched Migrante Europe Alliance held meaningful activities to celebrate International Migrants’ Day (IMD) last December 18.

    In Denmark, leaders of Migrante Denmark spoke at the event of the FIF-Filippinsk Integration Forening. They shared the launching of the Migrante Europe alliance. Filipino au pairs also joined the celebration of IMD during their annual Christmas party in Copenhagen.

    In the Netherlands, migrant organizations celebrated IMD by holding an information forum on the “C-189” campaign (Domestic Workers’ Convention) in Amsterdam last December 18. Among the participating organizations were Migrante Netherlands Amsterdam, Migrante Netherlands den Haag, MKSP, Pinay sa Holland, 3K, Alliance for the Human Rights of the Undocumented, Dutch labor union FNV, Otradela Trabajadores Domesticos (group of workers from South America), Indonesian Migrant Worker’s Union, African Group and Dutch advocates such as Paperless and Stichting LOS.

    In Rome, the Christmas party of Umangat-Migrante Rome became a forum to discuss the labor export policy and the situation of migrants. They also conducted photo-ops.

    Other Migrante organizations in other countries also conducted photo-ops to show their solidarity with all other migrants during the IMD.

    Meanwhile, Migrante Europe has announced the launching of its website (www.migrante.eu), which was developed during the assembly of Migrante Europe in Rome last December 10. The site contains updates not only on the events, activities and campaigns of the alliance, but also urgent issues affecting Filipino and other migrants in Europe.#

  • Migrante Europe Assembly delegates troop to the Philippine embassy in Rome to press their demands

    Migrante Europe Assembly delegates troop to the Philippine embassy in Rome to press their demands

    Press Release

    Representatives of member organizations of the newly-launched Migrante Europe alliance trooped to the Philippine embassy in Rome, Italy to present several issues and demands that the alliance discussed during their successful two-day founding assembly last December 10-11 at the Camping Roma Village in Rome.

    The 25 delegates representing 10 countries were led by Ann Brusola, of Umangat-Migrante Rome and newly-elected secretary general of Migrante Europe. The delegates were met by Ambassador Domingo Nolasco and Consul General Adrian Bernie Candoleda.

    The various representatives spoke on urgent migrant issues like the plight of many undocumented compatriots in the continent, human trafficking, the au pairs, and pension among the aging migrant workers.

    The delegates also emphasized the need for the Duterte government to create a sustainable integration program for returning OFWs for so that they won’t anymore see the need to look for jobs abroad. They also scored the Duterte government for not yet spelling out an alternative program to the labor export policy. They stressed that genuine land reform and national industrialization are the keys to solving the unemployment problem in the Philippines.

    They also brought to the attention of the embassy the ongoing peace talks and the just demand for the release of all political prisoners.

    The ambassador for his part shared what the embassy and the government are doing on the various issues presented by the delegates and promised more assistance to migrants. He also said a move is underway to pursue bilateral agreements with different countries on aging migrant pensioners.

    Migrante Europe vowed to uphold the rights and welfare of migrant Filipinos in Europe and to pursue urgent national issues affecting Filipino migrants. Migrante Europe is an alliance of progressive Filipino migrant organizations in Austria, Belgium, Italy, Denmark, Germany, France, Greece, the Netherlands, the UK, Norway, Switzerland and Iceland. It also vowed to reach out to Filipino organizations in other countries in Europe.#

    Reference:
    Ann Brusola
    [email protected]
    +39 327 8825544