Baldoz warns illegal OFWs in Saudi against con men after receiving reports that certain individuals have been posing and misrepresenting themselves as personnel of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) or of the Philippine Embassy and volunteering to facilitate the repatriation or correction of stay of illegal workers.

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday warned these illegal Filipinos in Saudi Arabia from transacting business with these con men, and urging them to report their criminal activities to Philippine Embassy or POLO officials, or to Saudi authorities. Here in the Philippines, she also urged families of illegal Filipinos to communicate the warning to their loved ones in Saudi Arabia. 

"I sternly advise illegal Filipinos in Saudi Arabia not to further aggravate their situation. Don’t deal with swindlers and fixers," said Baldoz who said that while the extended deadline for the correction of stay has passed, the situation in the Kingdom with regards illegal Filipinos remains normal.

"There is no onrush of illegal OFWs to the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Resource Center (MOWFRCs), or Bahay Kalinga," said Baldoz, citing a report of Labor Attache Rustico dela Fuente who is based in Riyadh. Baldoz's warning followed the Philippine Embassy-Riyadh's recent advisories to the public to avoid transacting with a certain Sunny Robredo (a.k.a. Nasanciano Robredo), Albert Guanzon, Aiza Monares, and their cohorts, who have been reported to claim they can obtain fake Philippine and Saudi documents, such as marriage certificates, birth certificates, and iqamas (residence permits) for a fee.

According to Baldoz, the Philippine Overseas Labor Office had already warned Filipinos in Saudi Arabia against the unscrupulous activities of Guanzon and company back in July 2009.

"There is no need for illegal Filipinos to employ the services of these con men to produce for them fake documents. All they need to do is to visit the Philippine Embassy and the POLO and our officials and personnel will assist them. In the first place, using fake or forged documents in Saudi Arabia, like anywhere else, is a criminal offense," warned Baldoz.

She said the POLO in Riyadh and Jeddah continue to monitor the status of illegal Filipinos seeking to correct their work status and transfer of employment, and urging those who wish to seek assistance to call, fax, or email the Philippine Embassy/Consulate hotlines 483-2201 to 3 or 676-3868; fax nos.: 619-5223 or 483-2204; or e-mail atpolo_riyadh@philembassy-riyadh.org; or poloriyadh2010@yahoo.com."The activities of fixers and con men can also be reported through these contact information," Baldoz finally said.

News Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph/ro_polo_updates/view/579