DOLE: 13 Leyte farmers rescued from illegal recruiters

At least 13 farmers from Leyte province were rescued from an illegal recruitment ring in Batangas province, the Department of Labor and Employment said over the weekend. DOLE Eastern Visayas director Forter Puguon said the farmers from Tanauan and Palo towns were recruited to work in a sugarcane plantation in Alitagtag, Batangas. “(Leyte) Board Member (Roque) Tiu said he received a call from a former Barangay Chairman Eddie Mercado, informing him that nine farmers from Tanauan and four from Palo were brought from Tacloban a week ago to Alitagtag, Batangas, where they worked in the plantation but with salary of only P180 per day, instead of the promised P400," he said in an article posted on the DOLE website Saturday night. Alitagtag town police were requested to rescue the 13 and bring them to the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office in Batangas City for assistance. Puguon said the DOLE is readying assistance to the 13 farmers. “I have already discussed this matter with Mayor Remedios “Matin" Petilla of Palo and Mayor Agapito Pagayanan Jr. We will pursue a case against the illegal recruiters when the 13 farmers arrive in Tacloban City," Puguon said. — LBG, GMANews.TV