Gov't to help sex scandal victims

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The government is ready to extend assistance to overseas Filipino workers who reportedly fell victim to a "sex-for-fly" scheme allegedly arranged by embassy personnel in the Middle East, Deputy Presidential Spokeswoman Abigail Valte said today.

Valte, in a radio interview, said the department of foreign affairs has already contacted the overseas Filipino workers who are willing to come forward and join the investigation.

The department of foreign affairs has invited its consuls general and ambassadors in the Middle East to come home to take part in the inquiry, Valte said.

She assured the public that the ongoing investigation will be fair and straightforward and everything will be based on evidence presented.

Akbayan party-list Representative Walden Bello disclosed last week the alleged sex-for-fly scheme in the Middle East victimizing overseas Filipino workers. The legislator urged President Aquino to form a presidential investigating committee to look into the allegations.

The country's department of labor and employment  and the department of foreign affairs are conducting separate probes into the said allegations.