Captain’s Pet

Salvador Wendica cries that he was illegally terminated from his work. He said he had a misunderstanding with a colleague on the ship and before he knew it, he was ordered by the ship captain to pack his bags and return to the Philippines.

He felt the captain was partial to his colleague, which was why he was the only one who was asked to leave. Salvador also complained that his seaman’s book, passport and other certification papers have not been returned to him yet.

Bantay OCW sought the help of Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac, head of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), who immediately looked into Salvador’s complaint.

Cacdac issued a resolution for the immediate return of Wendica’s documents.

After one week, how happy we were when Salvador returned to Radyo Inquirer to personally thank Bantay OCW for its assistance after he received all his original documents from his manning agency on September 18.

He was also excited to tell us that he won in the illegal termination case he filed against his employer. This time, he is asking maritime lawyer Dennis Gorecho if there is hope that he could claim the salary which he should have received if he had not been abruptly terminated.

Flee!

“Better flee!” This was the advice of Damdam Agency, which sent OFW Sonia Abaco to Qatar.

According to Sonia’s sister, Yolly, the Damdam Agency told Sonia to escape from her abusive employer and promised to shoulder her ticket back home.

The agency’s counterpart in Qatar, Golden Man Agency, immediately processed Sonia’s papers.

Bantay OCW contacted the Philippine Embassy in Qatar and also talked to Sonia’s employer. The latter brought Sonia to the police station where the police officers formally turned over Sonia to the deportation center there.

Our OFW Sonia Abaco is finally home. The Philippine Embassy in Qatar told us that Sonia arrived on Sept. 18.

Thanks to the Philippine Embassy officials in these cases who did not think twice about helping Sonia when Bantay OCW sought their assistance.

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Susan Andes, also known as Susan K., can be heard over Radyo Inquirer dzIQ 990 AM, Monday to Friday, 11 am-12 noon and 12:30 p.m-2 p.m. Audio/video live streaming is at www.dziq.am. Helplines: 0927-6499870/0920-9684700. E-mail: [email protected]/[email protected]