RP, US track down major US trafficking ring

Philippine and US authorities have neutralized a major human trafficking ring that recently victimized some 18 Filipino workers who applied for jobs in the United States, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). In a press conference Thursday, DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz tagged ZDrive Inc., a Laguna-based private employment agency, and US Opportunities, its principal in the US, as the human trafficking operators. “According to our investigation, the victims were illegally trafficked to the United States and were forced to endure sub-human and sub-standard conditions of work," Baldoz said in a release posted on the DOLE website. Baldoz identified the victims as Rodolfo Andrade, Ferdinand Antigo, Dennis Belda, Peter Cabusao, Jhoanne Davocol, Eduardo Deytiquez, Lheniehl Florida, Jimmy Hinayo, Theodore Jastillana III, Orlando Lavarnez, Enrico Edmundo Lising, Michael Angelo Maghirang, Jason Magundayao, Wilfredo Mislang, Imie Ramos, Henry Sejera, Regie Tesoro, and Roberto Verzo Jr. According to Baldoz, the victims were recruited by ZDrive in 2009 and, upon arriving in the US, were forced to work in a forest farm under inhumane conditions, such as being forced to sleep in trailers without water and electricity. “They were allegedly subjected to threats and intimidation, made to work raking and bailing pine leaves in the dead of winter, and forced to plant 1,800 pine tree seedlings a day on measly, subhuman wages equivalent to $40.00 (about P1,750) a week," the DOLE said in a release. The department explained that according to the US Department of Labor, the federal minimum wage for covered nonexempt employees is $7.25 (about P318) per hour. Subsequently, the workers were able to escape from the site and sought the help of ZDrive. The workers however said that instead of helping them, ZDrive instructed them to work in various hotels and entertainment facilities, where they were paid wages below minimum and further subjected to illegal deductions. Exorbitant fees from ZDrive “ZDrive had recruited the unsuspecting victims, who were unwittingly made to pay large fees in exchange for the promise of lucrative employment as food and beverage servers in the US," the DOLE release stated. During the processing of their applications, the workers said they were compelled to pay for such requirements as medical fees, visa application fees, and placement fees. When their passports and approved visas were delivered to ZDrive, allegedly through a certain Julius Bana and a certain Robert Refugio, the agency explained that the total costs that the OFWs have to pay amounted to as much as P250,000, which are way beyond the normal legal requirements for OFWs. DOLE said ZDrive likewise allegedly asked those workers unable to pay the fees to secure loans from its partner lending companies, such as AsiaLink Finance Corp. and the PJH Lending Corp., which in turn required collateral such as real estate properties. Further, the two agencies allegedly threatened to file criminal charges against the workers for violation of Batas Pambansa 22, or the Bouncing Checks Law. The workers then filed complaints against ZDrive and US Opportunities before the US Department of Homeland Security, which assisted the workers and classified them as “victims of visa fraud and forced labor trafficking." According to DOLE, US-based lawyer Ellaine Carr and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Washington jointly assisted the workers, resulting in the preventive suspension of the two agencies. “The Philippine government will support the filing of appropriate legal and criminal charges against the perpetrators of the illegal activity," the release stated. In 2010, according to a US State Department report on human trafficking, the Philippines retained its “Tier 2 watch list" rank, indicating that the country “does not fully comply with, but is making significant efforts to meet" the agency’s standards. (See: Philippines remains on US human trafficking watch list) ZDrive points to US Opportunities In a statement sent to GMANews.TV, however, ZDrive denied engaging in human trafficking, saying the company itself was victimized by US Opportunities, which failed to give the workers jobs as the latter promised. ZDrive president Elizabeth Malabanan said US Opportunities, through Julius Bana, offered to be the local agency’s principal in the US, as it claimed it can process petition papers and employment in the US through job orders. Malabanan, however, admitted they never got to talk to the supposed owner of US Opportunities, identified as Mark Lombardi. She explained their first few transactions were good, until ZDrive received a complaint from some of its workers in February this year. Malabanan further claimed that ZDrive immediately terminated its agreement with US Opportunities, and asked the POEA to permanently ban the US firm from recruiting Filipino workers. “We have also filed the corresponding criminal complaint against Mr. Bana before the Office of the City Prosecutor of Makati," she added. Malabanan further said they are willing to cooperate with authorities to resolve the issue. Prior to its suspension, ZDrive was listed as accredited by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration with a license valid until 2014.—JV, GMANews.TV