28 June 2005

For reference: Ramon Bultron
Managing Director
Tel. Nos.: (852) 27237536, (852) 94773141

Dubai OFW dies of cancer
OFWs hit gov’t for neglect

His request for assistance fell on deaf ears. OFW Renato Tolentino’s death is another crime in the hands of the neglectful administration of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

This was declared today by the Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM), a regional institution helping migrant workers, as its volunteers in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) reported the death of Tolentino last June 22.

According to Ramon Bultron, APMM Managing Director, Tolentino was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia in January 2005. He underwent intensive treatment at the Tawam Hospital in Dubai which went successfully at first until he had a relapse and had to again be hospitalized.

Last May 22, Tolentino’s doctor wrote to the Philippine Embassy in UAE requesting financial assistance for bone marrow transplantation that Tolentino needed. The said operation, the doctor said, could be done in the Philippines. The procedure, he said, was also costly thus he appealed for the Embassy’s financial help for Tolentino and his family.

“Upon receipt of a copy of the said letter, we immediately sought the assistance of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) through Undersecretary Jose Brillantes last June 8. After one week without a reply either from the DFA or the embassy in Dubai, we wrote a follow up letter last June 14,” Bultron reported.

Bultron said, since hospitalization, Tolentino and his family have been relying mainly on the support of Filipinos in Dubai to sustain his financial needs such as expenses for medical tests.

“Nobody from the DFA, the embassy in Dubai or OWWA even showed their face at Tolentino’s door to offer their assistance. In fact, not a soul from the Philippine government could be found up to the death of Tolentino,” he stated.

APMM said that what happened to Tolentino showed how the Philippine government treats Filipino migrants in need.

“We are aghast with the blatant neglect of the embassy in UAE and the government in the Philippines on the plight of Tolentino. There is no excuse for their inaction, irresponsibility and neglect. There is no excuse for their failure to act again that cost the life of another Filipino worker,” Bultron stressed.

The APMM called for an immediate investigation of Tolentino’s case. He said that liable government officials should not be allowed to escape from their culpability in Tolentino’s demise. Additionally, the group called for immediate assistance to repatriate the remains of Tolentino as well as financial help for Tolentino’s family.

“It is tragedy for Tolentino to die. It is even more tragic if government inaction on OFW needs remain and claim more lives of Filipino migrant workers,” Bultron concluded.

APMM is set to pursue the case of Tolentino until neglectful officials are punished.