By ARTEMIO A. DUMLAO
Bulatlat.com
BAGUIO CITY – Relatives and colleagues of Filipino teacher Benjamin Yango, who was found dead in his apartment in Harbin, China less than a month ago, are asking help from the government for his repatriation.
Yango, 33, a native of Bontoc, Mountain Province, is an English teacher at Longdi Primary School in A’cheng, Harbin, China since 2007. He was found dead on May 21.
No autopsy and investigation was reportedly done by the Chinese police on Yango, who is married to Fely Tomino of Kabayan, Benguet and with two children.
Concerned government agencies including the Philippine Embassy in China have been repeatedly asked by Yango’s widow to provide or facilitate monetary assistance to enable repatriation of the body to the Philippines.
Repatriation cost reaches RMB 86,000 (PhP 584,800) and is getting higher as the body remains at the morgue.
Another appeal is still being forwarded to the Overseas Welfare Workers Administration (OWWA), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Philippine Embassy again to immediately expedite the release of financial assistance.
“In pursuit of protecting the rights of overseas migrant workers who continue to provide millions of remittances to the coffers of the government, (we are) respectfully asking your immediate action,” the appeal directed to Philippine embassy consul in China Pablito Mendoza, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Jose Brillantes of the Migrant Workers Affairs, OWWA Administrator Carmelita Dimzon and Labor Secretary Marianito Roque.
“Especially, we call on OWWA to provide and/or facilitate financial assistance for the human remains of Benjamin Yango to be repatriated to Philippine soil as part of its responsibility and duty to provide services for migrant workers,” the appeal also read.
Relatives are also urging OWWA, DFA and the Philippine Embassy in China “to intervene in their behalf and ask the school owner-employer of Benjamin Yango to provide the corresponding financial assistance for Yango.” (Bulatlat.com)
