Binay asks local officials to monitor foreign recruiters

BALANGA City, Bataan , Philippines  – Vice President Jejomar Binay yesterday urged local officials to keep an eye on Nigerian nationals reportedly recruiting residents for possible employment abroad and to immediately inform his office about their presence.

Binay told Bataan officials at a luncheon meeting held at the Crown Hotel here that there are seven overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) being held on drug-related charges in China and a resident of Bataan is appealing for government intervention in another drug case awaiting final decision of the Chinese Supreme Court since 2008.

The second highest official of the land, who is also presidential adviser on OFW concerns, was the guest speaker at the 5th commencement exercises of the first State University in Bataan.

“These Nigerians offers juicy and high-paying jobs but our countrymen end up in prostitution and couriers of illegal drugs,” said Binay, who was conferred the degree of Doctor of Humanities honoris causa at the Bataan Peninsula State University.

He asked local officials to be more vigilant and well-informed about the illegal recruiters’ modus operandi in enticing Filipinos, especially women, as drug mules masquerading as tourists and visitors or even, in one case, nuns.

Binay stressed that mere possession of 50 grams of illegal substance should not be meted the death penalty and the possessor should fall only under the category of courier.

He said officials should discourage residents from going abroad without legitimate travel documents and working permits to avoid ending up in jails in foreign countries or suffer abuses.