16 stranded workers in Mindoro back home today
ROXAS CITY – Sixteen workers, who were stranded in Occidental Mindoro, are expected to return home today in Pontevedra, Capiz after public officials of the said province facilitated their travel through the roll-on roll-off (Roro) transportation.
Earlier, the Capiz provincial government under the leadership of Gov. Victor Tanco, Sr., gave a financial assistance in the amount of P25,000 to the 16 workers who were reportedly hostaged by their employer in Occidental Mindoro recently.
Provincial Administrator Zoe Herrera said that the financial aid was released by Gov. Tanco, Sr thru Ms. Lydia Stewart so that all stranded workers can return home.
Last week, Pontevedra Mayor Steve Contreras received reports that one of the 16 workers was shot and hacked by employer Romy Gaston of Santa Cruz, Occidental Mindoro.
However, Santa Cruz police chief Gilbert San Juan denied the alleged hostage report over RMN-dyVR but he admitted that 15 workers sought refuge from fellow Capiceños after they run away from their employer.
The workers were identified as Jimmy Bacero of Brgy. Intongcan, Pontevedra; Chito Ballona, Juan and Romel Estorninos, Jose Villalobos, Juanito Bulaan, Micheal Bulan, Jonel Bustamante, Ricardo Inion, Jenmark Rubio, Elton Bacalinao, Jimmy Dilan, Willy Ballon, Jolly Ranco, and two other unidentified workers.
The police chief said that the employer hired the 16 workers to develop his fishpond but the workers complained that they were not given their salaries.
Bacero was shot and hacked by Gaston while walking outside their quarters on Friday evening, August 14. The victim sustained wound on his face and is presently confined in a hospital.
The following day, the cellular phones of the 15 workers were reportedly confiscated so that they could not communicate with others.