MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 25, 2014) – Manila has ordered an investigation into reports of widespread abuses against illegal Filipino workers in Sabah as Malaysia renewed its crackdown on illegal immigrants on the oil-rich state also being claimed by the Philippines.
Malaysian authorities have rounded up illegal workers on Sabah near the southern Filipino island of Tawi-Tawi as part of a campaign to flush out undocumented foreigners.
A government spokesman, Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said it is the duty of the government to protect its citizens, especially if they are facing persecution abroad.
Malaysia is currently brokering the peace talks between the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels, and it is unknown how the Aquino administration would address alleged abuses of Filipinos in Sabah.
“Mahaba ang kasaysayan ng pagkakaibigan at kooperasyon sa pagitan ng Malaysia at ng Pilipinas. Katulad ng nabanggit, sila ang tumatayo ngayong facilitator ng ating peace talks hinggil sa Bangsamoro,” Coloma said.
“Siguro ay makatwirang sabihin na sila ay nakikinig sa ating mga inilalahad sa kanila at wala naman pong kasaysayan na sila ay hindi nagbigay atensyon sa mga diplomatic concerns na ating inilahad sa kanilang pamahalaan,” he added.
Coloma said the Philippines and Malaysia have a long history of friendship and cooperation and he believes Malaysian authorities will pay special attention to whatever concern the Philippine government will raise.
The Department of Foreign Affairs must lay out the concrete details of the alleged harassment and abuses committed against Filipino workers.
Coloma said justice must be served to those who suffered unfairly in the ongoing crackdown in Malaysia.
“Ang atin pong Department of Foreign Affairs ay tiyak na gagawin ang lahat ng nararapat para mabigyan ng katarungan ‘yung diumano’y pananakit o paggawa ng karahasan laban sa ating mga mamamayan dahil hindi naman ito talaga dapat na maganap,” he said.
“Ganoon din sa ating bansa, tinatrato natin nang may paggalang ang mga mamamayan ng ibang bansa, dapat lang na ganoon din ang kanilang pagtrato sa ating mga mamamayan. Tinitiyak po natin na gagawin ang lahat ng nararapat para magawaran ng katarungan ang inilahad ng ating kasama rito.”
Filipinos in Sabah said those arrested were thrown into overcrowded jails and forced to admit they were illegal workers. Some of the female migrant workers were sexually abused.
20