Why CFO? Human Trafficking for one.

[Hank_ 9,174]

http://1343actionline.ph/news/1043-filipina-caregiver-speaks-out-vs-human-trafficking-in-us.html

Filipina Caregiver Speaks Out vs Human Trafficking in US

Published on 04 December 2013

FULLERTON, California – Angela Guanzon thought her American dream was within reach. With a visa in one hand and a plane ticket in the other, Guanzon, originally from Bacolod City, Philippines, traveled to the United States in 2005.

She thought working in America would give her a better life. She was wrong.

"I worked 18 hour days and had to sleep on the floor in a hallway," Guanzon said "My co-workers and I were threatened if we tried to escape."

With a steely demeanor, the 36-year-old Guanzon paused at times as she recounted her story at a housecommittee on foreign affairs hearing at California State University Fullerton.

Hosted by Congressman Ed Royce, the hearing examined what the State Department, law enforcement officials, and community organizations are doing to combat this form of "modern day slavery."

Royce said the State Department's human trafficking ranking is a good step. Countries are trying to stay away from being named in that report.

"It shames them for their failure to comply with efforts to stop the trafficking of underage girls and try to stop trafficking of labor," Royce said.

Human trafficking, which includes sex and labor is a $32 billion criminal enterprise worldwide, second only to narcotics, according to officials.

Guanzon's story is not uncommon in the Filipino community. The Philippines is notoriously known as a source country where human trafficking is pervasive.

Mired in poverty, countless Filipino men and women looking for an opportunity to support their families fall victim to unscrupulous recruiters and agencies.

"The Philippines currently is, I believe, the second largest victim population we're serving," Kay Buck of the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Human Trafficking said. "It's a combination of sex and labor trafficking."

Buck said she's hoping new legislation brought up by Congressman Royce will help curb labor trafficking.

The FBI rescued Guanzon and several other workers in 2008. She said she testified because she doesn't want what happened to her, happen to anyone else.

"Akala nila pag inapproach ka nila papuntang America it's like a big opportunity pero kailangan mo pa din malaman before you grab the opportunity," she said.

Source: ABS-CBN News, Nov. 28, 2013, Online

http://1343actionline.ph/statistics.html

[sweet cakes 326]

Thanks for sharing, Hank! I would not question CFO's objective one bit even though, so far, I didn't find any use yet for the information I got during my seminar. I mean, there was nothing new for me then, because I have read a lot in advance. However, I could see that it could be very well useful to other very young girls that attended the seminar with me, and especially those who haven't had any experience in a different cultural setting.

I thankfully had a pleasant experience during my one-on-one with the CFO counselor. I guess, as with other processes in this journey, it always pays to be prepared. Reading and knowing what to expect indeed helped.

Edited June 2, 2014 by sweet cakes

[Hank_ 9,174]

Many would do just fine without CFO but there are those very young and naive that it may help.

Here on VJ we have read of the occasional "bad apple" and the Filipina trying to find help.

My wife didn't find CFO an issue, thought it was informative even, but that pamphlet she had was right out of the 50's... I have read there is a new pamphlet now.. about time

[Greenbaum 12,260]

I agree with SC and Hank on this one.

I'm from the school of thought better to have too much information then not enough especially the younger ones who can be naive.

Please read http://globalnation.inquirer.net/73619/envoys-to-visit-filipino-victims-of-alleged-human-trafficking-in-us

Edited June 2, 2014 by Greenbaum

[Caryh 5,206]

Many would do just fine without CFO but there are those very young and naive that it may help.

Here on VJ we have read of the occasional "bad apple" and the Filipina trying to find help.

My wife didn't find CFO an issue, thought it was informative even, but that pamphlet she had was right out of the 50's... I have read there is a new pamphlet now.. about time

I never saw the pamphlet. Maybe my wife tossed it or they didn't bother giving one out to her. But their advice was to go to the local consulate if she got into trouble. Given its a 7 hour drive away, if she had a car and license at the time, it was pretty useless advice. I asked my wife if they mentioned calling a woman's shelter, and she said "no, what's that?" So in the end it was I who gave my wife advice on what to do if she was abused by me.

[sweet cakes 326]

I actually don't remember the dated pamphlet too. But during my seminar, they did post information about domestic violence, women's shelter, 911, the works. And discussed a flowchart on what needs to be done after POE, AOS, ROC, citizenship and encouraged us to do the ROM and be a dual citizen too. They also gave some tips useful while departing the country like making sure to have the visa packet on your carry-on, and have some spare cash ready for travel tax, terminal fee, excess luggage, in-transit food allowance, etc. Most likely, they have updated their presentation through time.

Edited June 2, 2014 by sweet cakes

[Hank_ 9,174]

I never saw the pamphlet. Maybe my wife tossed it or they didn't bother giving one out to her. But their advice was to go to the local consulate if she got into trouble. Given its a 7 hour drive away, if she had a car and license at the time, it was pretty useless advice. I asked my wife if they mentioned calling a woman's shelter, and she said "no, what's that?" So in the end it was I who gave my wife advice on what to do if she was abused by me.

My wife went through PRISM at the time and the pamphlet was P150 extra. I am sure she still has it, never tosses anything...

[sweet cakes 326]

My wife went through PRISM at the time and the pamphlet was P150 extra. I am sure she still has it, never tosses anything...

Wow! Well, I'm sure they were told that the pamphlet has very "important information".

Uuuhhhmmm .... Pack rat here too. I even brought here the documents I prepared for my interview. And my husband already tossed out some of my collections!

[bendinlar 16]

In the class my wife went through, they told of at least a couple stories of filipinas that were prolly saved by CFO.

Was one filipina stopped from boarding to Singapore(I think) when she said she was meeting her foreign boyfriend. Lots of questioning and they finally called him, since he was waiting for her. Instead of asking why she was being held up, or what the delay was, first question he asked, where is the box you're bringing? So they ask her, where did you get the box? His friend here gave it to me to take to him.

Yep, was being used as a mule. Prolly would have been left alone in a strange country after delivering that box, at best.

There is some good info, there is some outdated info, and there is some info that we can discount because others have done it (she was told that when we get to poe, we can't go through the line together, must be separate lines) .

Overall, CFO is worth it, as mentioned, sometimes there is a rough story come out of there, but that is by far the exception, not the rule.

[Caryh 5,206]

My wife went through PRISM at the time and the pamphlet was P150 extra. I am sure she still has it, never tosses anything...

My wife would still have it I'm sure had she gotten it. Maybe she didn't want to spend the 150P I'd have to ask her which outfit she did the CFO with, I forget myself, she may have to.

My wife is slowly learning she can't save everything here. At first she did, until she started running out of places to put everything. Then she realized there's not need to 1000 plastic bags, or 50 shoe boxes. Now if I can just get her to stop saving those weekly bulletins from our church, which she never reads anyway. I've never figured out why she's saving them, but three years worth is making a good stack.

I'm glad to hear they've updated the seminar. The concept is good, if they're giving useful and relevant information. But my wife mainly got scare tactics about why she shouldn't leave the country, and no useful advice if she had troubles once she did.

[Hank_ 9,174]

... saving the plastic bags... hmmm, I can relate.

[sweet cakes 326]

Geez ... You guys are hurting my ego! I am also keeping those plastic and boxes you know! Well, I do re-use and recycle.

The way Prism handled it before must be a world of difference. Knowing it was handled by nuns, so I'm sure their objective then was to question why a girl is leaving her roots for a man? I'm sure, the Filipino men wouldn't have the same issues then.

Edited June 5, 2014 by sweet cakes

[Hank_ 9,174]

Geez ... You guys are hurting my ego! I am also keeping those plastic and boxes you know! Well, I do re-use and recycle.

The way Prism handled it before must be a world of difference. Knowing it was handled by nuns, so I'm sure their objective then was to question why a girl is leaving her roots for a man? I'm sure, the Filipino men wouldn't have the same issues then.

PRISM wasn't nuns, that was St. Mary's for nuns.

recycle.. reuse... but there has to be limits...

[sweet cakes 326]

PRISM wasn't nuns, that was St. Mary's for nuns.

recycle.. reuse... but there has to be limits...

I have started reading about it when we we're just starting our journey, so hence, the mix-up. Only to realize how many outdated information there are all over the internet!

Yes!! My husband keeps on reminding me that my collection is starting to be a safety hazard. That's when I stop, and then the cycle starts again ...

[Hank_ 9,174]

I agree there is tons of outdated info out there, hard as I try even my guide slips from time to time, but many help by pointing out the "newest" oops (thanks)

I think there is a TV show called Hoarders ....