Group wants POEA to cancel Sentosa license

An alliance of migrant workers’ groups is urging the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to suspend immediately the operations of the US-based Sentosa recruitment agency. On October 25, a delegation headed by Partylist Rep. Liza Maza met POEA Administrator Rosalinda Baldoz to ask for the suspension of the operations of Sentosa, which the group accused of engaging in large-scale illegal recruitment activities. Migrante International, together with the relatives of the victims of Sentosa, organized the picket and the discussions at the POEA offices in Ortigas. “Clearly, the Sentosa Recruitment Agency (SRA) is guilty of large-scale illegal recruitment. Its operations should be suspended immediately and its license revoked permanently, said Maita Santiago, secretary general of Migrante International. Under Section 6 of the Philippine Migrant Workers Act, large scale illegal recruitment is committed when a recruiter dupes three or more persons, and that the crime constitutes economic sabotage, Santiago said. In a statement, Santiago claimed that at least 32 nurses and a physical therapist have filed complaints at the POEA against the SRA. The motion to appeal POEA’s September 4, 2007 order to dismiss the charges against SRA of the first batch of complainants is still pending, she said. Another case a second batch of complainants filed on November 24, 2006 is still awaiting action, she added. According to Santiago, her group is also urging Administrator Baldoz to disclose what they call as “political intervention" behind POEA’s actions against SRA’s victims. Santiago cited as proof of “intervention" US Senator Schumer’s letters in behalf of Sentosa, which were were sent to POEA Admin. Baldoz, former Labor secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas, New York Consul General Ceclia Rebong and Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The group also wants Baldoz to explain the phone call by Sto. Tomas shortly before the POEA lifted the preventive suspension order against the SRA on June 8, 2006. “We wouldn’t be surprised kung may suhulan sa Malacanang, sa Department of Labor and Employment, o sa POEA," Santiago said. “Because the political intervention has already been admitted, it must be exposed, investigated and those found guilty of this shameless abuse of power must be punished," Santiago stressed. In a telephone interview with GMANews.TV on Saturday, Santiagao said they are planning to press for a congressional inquiry on Sentosa’s case, which is why Rep. Liza Maza was present during the talks at the POEA. She said, “We vow to intensify global actions for this campaign through our member organizations and networks. In the US, the National Alliance of Filipino Concerns (NAFCON) has gotten the support of the very influential NY State Nurses Association." On October 29, the NAFCON will lead a picket rally in front of the NY Courthouse, where 10 of the nurses will appear for the first hearing of the criminal charges filed against them by the SRA. Migrante International will also lead various protest actions highlighting the continuing oppression of our Kababayans by the SRA. - GMANews.TV