The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has urged the public to report abuses of children of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) at 24X7 Hotline number 1349.
“I am asking the public that if they witness or suspect that a child of an OFW is being abused, they should call our Hotline 1349 so we can ensure the safety of the child,” ABS-CBN News quoted DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III as saying.
Citing the UNICEF’s “National Baseline on the Study on Violence Against Children: Philippines,” Bello reportedly said that children left behind by OFW parents are prone to abuses.
Last year, an OFW working in Bahrain came home to bury her two-year-old son who was mauled to death by his guardians in Davao City, the report said.
“We have to protect these children. One way of protecting them is to report this to our Hotline 1349. We will investigate, and if necessary, rescue the child. Mahirap kasi na ang pinagtitiwalaan mo na mag-aalaga sa anak mo ay iyon pa ang mag-aabuso sa mga bata,” Bello was quoted as saying.
Reports received by Hotline 1349 will be validated and investigated by DOLE, in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Department of Justice (DOJ).
