13 Leyteños, 2 of them minors, victimized by illegal recruiter

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
January 25, 2011

TACLOBAN CITY  –  Thirteen farmers from Tanauan and Palo, Leyte were victims of illegal recruitment. They are now at the PNP Police Station in Alitagtag, Batangas where they took refuge.

Former Barangay Chairman Eddie Mercado called up Leyte Board Member Roque Tiu in the late afternoon of January 24, informing him that two farmers from Barangay Tugop and 7 farmers from Barangay Lapay, both of Tanauan town, and 4 from Palo town were recruited to work in a sugarcane plantation at Alitagtag, Batangas, with a promised salary of P400 per day.

The Leyte farmers left a week ago and went to Alitagtag, Batangas where they found out that their salary was only P180 per day instead of the promised P400.

Board Member Tiu called up Ms. Lianda Bolilla, Executive Assistant at the Office of the Provincial Governor of Batangas, Honorable Vilma Santos, and wife of Batangas Board Member Caloy Bolillo, requesting her to check about the matter.

Ms. Bolillo called up to inform Board Member Tiu that the 13 farmers sought refuge at the Alitagtag Police Station as per information of the Chief of Police and the Batangas Provincial Police Director, who also furnished the names of the farmers.

Ms. Bolillo informed Board Member Tiu that the Alitagtag Police will take care of the farmers in the night of January 24. On January 25, the farmers will be brought to the Batangas Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office for assistance of their immediate needs and for their travel back home in Leyte.

The Batangas Provincial Police Director informed that he has already ordered his men to trace the recruiter.

The victims of illegal recruitment were identified as Teodulo B. Lopera, 48 years old; Machel S. Lopera, 20; Avelino G. Mercado, 48; Alfredo A. Mercado, 20; Ariel Mercado, 17; Elvin Albao, 23; Joseph L. Mendiola, 29; Jumbal H. Tondo, 15; Edgar C. Albao, 41, all from Tanauan, Leyte.

Meanwhile, Josefino R. Rebato, 50; Jomar R. Rebato, 27; Jonathan R. Rebato, 31 and Edwin Mongcal, 30, are from San Jose, Palo, Leyte.