Pinoy worker in Taiwan dies in fall accident

The Philippine diplomatic post in Taiwan has confirmed an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) there died after falling off a tree, but his remains have yet to be repatriated almost three weeks after his death. In an interview with GMANews.TV, the Labor Affairs office of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office’s (MECO) Kaohsiung Extension Office said Francisco Galang, a 30-year-old caretaker from Quezon province, was killed on March 26 after falling off a coconut tree. Welfare officer Rossane Catapang, however, told GMANews.TV that the victim’s remains are still in a morgue in Taiwan pending investigation results and the issuance of a special power of attorney by Galang’s wife to repatriate his body. GMANews.TV earlier received an e-mail from another OFW in Taiwan, who lamented that Galang’s case has not been properly addressed as his remains have yet to be sent to the victim’s family here in the Philippines. Arsenio Chua of the Assistance to Nationals (ATN) section of the MECO in Kaohsiung confirmed that Galang entered Taiwan as a caretaker for a Taiwanese man, but was reported to have been instead assigned to another task by his employer, which was to climb trees to gather coconuts. “Local police authorities are still investigating the case, as the employer initially reported that Galang died in a bicycle accident," Chua told GMANews.TV. Catapang identified the employer as Chiu Chin Lung, an elderly Taiwanese who privately contracted Galang’s services. According to Catapang, Galang was on his third contract as a worker in Taiwan and on his eighth month as a caretaker for his current employer when he died. She added she cannot confirm when the results of the investigation of the case will be available as it is being handled by local authorities “Should the employer’s liability be proven, he will be blacklisted and will no longer be able to hire Filipino workers. We have also suspended his recruitment agencies in the Philippines and Taiwan," Catapang said. GMANews.TV tried to get in touch with the owner of DCH International Manpower Services Inc., Galang’s recruitment agency in the Philippines, identified as Edita Lalu but was told she is in Taiwan. Catapang gave the assurance that the ATN has been arranging the documentary requirements for the repatriation of Galang’s remains, and that his family will receive assistance from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration. Galang’s body is currently in Pingtung County Morgue, according to Catapang. He left behind a wife and a four-year-old child.—JV, GMANews.TV