DFA RENEWS WARNING ON PROSPECTIVE OFWs ENTERING EUROPE THROUGH TURKEY

26 February 2007 – The Department of Foreign Affairs issued a warning to Filipinos who were promised work in Europe through Turkey , since work visas to Europe are not available in Turkey .

The Department issued the advisory on the basis of a report from Philippine Ambassador to Turkey Bahnarim A. Guinomla following the arrest and detention by the Jandarma (Turkish Constabulary) on 7 February of a Filipina named Ms. Antonio, together with other nationals, who was attempting to enter Europe through Turkey .

In her narration to the Embassy, Ms. Antonio said that sometime in June 2005, she met a certain Pilar in Cauayan, Isabela who offered her work in Turkey in exchange for 50 thousand pesos. She claimed that Pilar secured a visa for her from the Turkish Embassy in Manila . She left the Philippines on November 21, 2005 and arrived in Istanbul the following day. She was met there by a certain Mr. Hamad whom she described as agent-employer.

“I was locked up, held incommunicado and forced to work as a housekeeper for about one year without salary. I later managed to escape,” Ms. Antonio testified.

Upon meeting certain Gurjant Singh who offered to take her to Europe, she joined a group of 25 other job-seekers from India , Bangladesh , Somalia and China in a closed delivery van for a trip to Greece . At the border crossing near the Turkish city of Edirne , the Jandarma stopped the van for inspection and the group, including Antonio, was arrested and detained.

Ambassador Guinomla also reported that the Embassy is assisting in the release and repatriation of Ms. Antonio. END

/epa

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