42 STRANDED OFWs TO ARRIVE FROM JEDDAH NEXT WEEK
MANILA, APRIL 5, 2008 (STAR) By Reinir Padua - The first batch of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were stranded in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia will arrive in the country on Thursday, Vice President Noli de Castro disclosed yesterday.
De Castro, who is also presidential adviser on OFWs, said 42 out of more than 200 stranded Filipinos in Jeddah will arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 3:50 p.m. on Malaysian Airlines flight no. 704.
“This is good news for the relatives of the stranded OFWs. As to the others left behind, we are in close coordination with our consulate in Jeddah, working for your immediate return,” he assured.
He said the 42 migrant workers have been cleared for deportation by Saudi authorities, while the consulate is helping the others get their clearance for deportation.
De Castro said most of the OFWs overstayed or ran away from their employers in Saudi Arabia.
Relatives of the OFWs have earlier sought the help of De Castro’s office to facilitate their immediate and safe return to the Philippines.
The workers were reportedly staying outside the deportation facility in Jeddah.
But after discussions with the consulate, De Castro said many of the OFWs are now staying at the deportation facility in Jeddah, where they are provided with food and clothes by the government.
“The government is doing everything to make things comfortable for our stranded countrymen in Jeddah. We are exerting all efforts for their immediate repatriation,” he said.
QC cops raid gay bar Saturday, April 5, 2008
The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) raided the other night a gay bar where male models and performers were reportedly staging lewd shows.
Superintendent Antonio Yarra, chief of the QCPD-Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit’s general investigation section, said they apprehended 25 dancers, 11 of whom did not have proper permits, at the Mankind Bar on Scout Ybardolaza street in Barangay South Triangle at past 11 p.m. Thursday. The dancers ranged in age from 19 to 30 years.
“This is part of a directive of (QCPD chief Senior Superintendent Magtanggol Gatdula) to do a crackdown on bars being used as fronts for prostitution in the city,” he said.
The raiding team also arrested the bar’s operations manager, floor manager and waiter.
Gatdula has warned owners of video and KTV bars and other entertainment establishments to stay away from staging lewd shows and hiring minors.
QCPD police officers recently raided the Metro KTV, Lanai, Blue Eyes, Maligamgam and Halimuyak bars based on complaints received through the Philippine National Police text hotline. – Reinir Padua
Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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