Bello suspends Dubai Polo officer for misconduct

MANILA, Philippines — Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III suspended a welfare officer in Dubai after he allegedly bad-mouthed a migrant worker who inquired about the government’s assistance for those affected by the new coronavirus disease.

Bello said on Saturday that Danilo Flores, of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLODanil) in Dubai, had been recalled from his post and asked to return to Manila to face investigation for misconduct.

Overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Joy Parafina accused Flores in a Facebook video on Thursday of hurling invectives at her and calling her ungrateful after she asked for receipt on the food aid from Polo.

Parafina said she only wanted to know if the package was indeed worth $200 as the government had committed to give to affected OFWs. She later learned that the package was donated by a private company.

—Jovic Yee