DFA admits 'lapses' in enforcing OFW ban in Afghanistan

The deaths of six Filipinos in a plane crash in Afghanistan showed lapses by the government in enforcing a labor deployment ban on the war-torn country, the Department of Foreign Affairs admitted Friday. DFA spokesman Eduardo Malaya said at least one of the six fatalities started working there only last year, despite the ban having gone into effect as early as 2005. "We would like to see a greater observance of the ban obviously. That is pursuant to the provisions of the Migrant Workers' Act, given the criterion stated in the attack na pag hindi natin ma-assure ng Philippine government ang safety and security of overseas Filipino workers, the government can impose a labor deployment ban (We obviously want to see a greater observance of the ban, pursuant to the Migrant Workers' Act. Under the law, if the government cannot assure the safety of OFWs, it can impose a labor deployment ban)," he said in an interview on dwIZ radio. He said the Philippines imposed a travel and labor deployment ban on Afghanistan in 2005. He said the ban has not been lifted. According to the DFA web site, five countries are covered by the deployment ban: Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan and Nigeria. But he said initial information reaching the DFA showed one of the fatalities, co-pilot Rene Badilla, had retired from the Philippine Air Force only last year. "Probably in his case, medyo fairly recent ang kanyang serbisyo (At least in Badilla's case, his stint in Afghanistan was fairly recent)," he said. On Thursday, the DFA confirmed six Filipinos died aboard a cargo plane that slammed into a mountain east of Kabul, Afghanistan's capital. The fatalities were identified as pilot Henry Bulos, co-pilot Badilla, and crew members Nilo Medina and Ibelo Valbuena. Two were identified only as Castillo (mechanic) and Padora (avionics). Malaya said the six are likely to get added benefits since they worked for a firm contracted by the US military. "If they are working on behalf of or for the US military, may additional benefits pa under US law na matatanggap sila in addition to the package of benefits that should be due their survivors, from their employer (If they are working for or on behalf of the US military, they can receive added benefits under US law, in addition to the benefits they will get from their employer)," he said. Citing information from the Philippine embassy in Islamabad, he said the relationship of the six with the US military was "layered," since they worked for a firm contracted by the military. Malaya said the Philippine Embassy in Islamabad is coordinating with the fatalities' employers in Afghanistan while the DFA's Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs is working in Manila to assist the victims' families. He said the Department of Labor and Employment's Overseas Workers Welfare Administration is also working to grant financial assistance. "Ayaw natin sabihin o tukoy sila ay undocumented dahil sila ay professionals at nagtatrabaho for reputable companies although ang mission nila in a country undergoing war di naaayon sa palatuntunan ng gobyernong Pilipinas (We do not want to think they are undocumented because they are professionals working for reputable companies, although their mission in a war-torn country does not agree with Philippine policies)," he said. - HS, GMANews.TV