The United Filipinos in Hong Kong (UNIFIL-Migrante) is calling for the immediate issuance of arrest warrants against Cebu City councilor candidate Prisca Nina Mabatid and several co-conspirators in connection with a widespread scam that has defrauded Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the region.
In a significant win for the migrant workers’ movement, the Philippine Department of Justice has rejected a motion for reconsideration regarding Mabatid and her associates, who allegedly misled approximately 20 OFWs with false promises of jobs in Canada through unlicensed recruitment agencies.
Targeting the Vulnerable
Mabatid, along with her partner, lawyer Russ Mark T. Gamallo, and associates Clark M. Jueco, Vincent Adam Hechanova, Clint Victor A. Caingles, and Noverna “Bernie” S. Uy, are accused of using the Pinoy Care Visa Center (PCVC) and Opportunities Abroad Visa Processing Services (OAVPS) to conduct their operations. Both companies lack accreditation from the Department of Migrant Workers.
The recruitment effort, which took place on February 19, 2023, involved misleading claims about securing student visas for employment in Canada. The fallout has left many victims not only financially devastated but also fearful. Some have reported receiving intimidation tactics, including threatening letters from Mabatid’s legal team.
Support for Victims
Migrant worker advocates, including Atty. Daisy Mandap, have faced harassment for exposing Mabatid’s actions. Despite these challenges, organizations such as Migrante International and Migrante Hong Kong have stood firm in their support of the victims, advocating for justice throughout a lengthy legal battle that has spanned two years.
“This positive development should serve as a catalyst for the case to advance,” said Dolores Balladares, a spokesperson for UNIFIL-Migrante. “We demand that the Marcos administration act without delay to ensure these individuals are held accountable.”
A Call for Action
The plight of the victims has garnered significant public attention, even prompting a Senate hearing. However, progress has been slow, leading to frustration over what critics describe as the Marcos administration’s negligence in addressing the systemic issues that leave OFWs vulnerable to exploitation.
“The lack of genuine effort to tackle forced migration means many Filipinos are still at risk from fraudulent recruitment practices,” Balladares emphasized. “To protect our citizens, we must ensure they have viable opportunities back home.”
As the battle for justice continues, advocates remain resolute in their mission to secure fair compensation and accountability for the victims of this troubling case. The call for immediate arrest warrants is a crucial step in the ongoing fight against illegal recruitment and the exploitation of migrant workers.
