MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay asked yesterday the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to monitor all developments in the reported exploitation of undocumented Filipinos in 7-Eleven stores in the US and provide him with updates.
“We do not yet know exactly how many Filipinos are involved, but I would like to assure everyone that we are on top of the situation,†he said.
“What we do know is that a certain Filipino named Ramon Nanas was one of nine suspects indicted for allegedly ‘conspiring to commit wire fraud, stealing identities and concealing and harboring illegal immigrants’ employed at 7-Eleven, Inc. franchise stores located throughout Long Island and Virginia.â€
Nanas reportedly assisted the 7-Eleven franchise owners in the commission of the crime.
The presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers’ concerns reminded workers to go through the proper channels when seeking employment abroad.
POEA administrator Hans Cacdac reported to Binay that some 50 illegal immigrants from various countries, including the Philippines, have been in the employ of 7-Eleven stores in the US since 2000.
“These immigrants were exploited by the storeowners,†he said. “Their wages were stolen and they were required to live in unregulated boarding houses.â€
Cacdac told Binay US authorities have not yet identified the illegal immigrants as a matter of standard procedure as the case is still under active investigation.
Cacdac assured Binay that the labor attaché in Washington and the consulate-general in New York are working hand in hand to make sure the rights of all Filipinos involved in the case are protected, and that whatever legal assistance they need is extended. –