Department of Labor and Employment(DOLE)

Labatt Mel Dizon was recently reported to be protecting a number of agencies and implementing non-transparent policy changes at POLO-HK in an effort to protect a number of illicit employment agencies.

Labatt Dizon was recently recorded - https://soundcloud.com/illicitfinance-surveillance/whatsapp-audio-2020-10-26-at-150359 - in this recording Labatt Dizon: (i) Discourages an OFW from filing a complaint; (ii) Contradicts long standing POLO/POEA/DOLE policy; (iii) and unlawfully protects agencies.

I would like to know, has Labatt Dizon's been ordered to make these actions by DOLE.

November 25, 2020

Dear Annabelle J.,

Thank you for your request dated Nov 10, 2020 under Executive Order No. 2 (s. 2016) on Freedom of Information in the Executive Branch, for False & Discouraging Statements by Labatt Mel Dizon & Relevant Orders.

We received your request on Nov 10, 2020 and will respond on or before Dec 01, 2020 09:27:26 PM, in accordance with the Executive Order's implementing rules and regulations.

Should you have any questions regarding your request, kindly contact me using the reply function on the eFOI portal at https://www.foi.gov.ph/requests/aglzfmVmb2ktcGhyHgsSB0NvbnRlbnQiEURPTEUtODM4MzM4MzM4MzMwDA, for request with ticket number #DOLE-838338338330.

Thank you.

Respectfully,

Dino Cielito Julve
FOI Officer

Dear Ms. Gutierrez:

This refers to your query entitled: "False and discouraging statements by Labatt Mel Dizon and relevant orders."

May we please refer you to the reply of POLO-Hong Kong Labor Attaché Melchor Dizon as follows:

1. There was no such statement/s made by this Labor Attaché and verification on the recorded conversation revealed that Anabelle Gutierrez was a complainant in one case which was already endorsed to and docketed by POEA;

2. In the recording, ALA Antonio Villafurete was the one who was explaining to her about her case and there was no hint of discouragement; and 

3. Their conversation was discreetly recorded by OFW Gutierrez without asking permission from ALA Villafuerte, which is the same thing that was done to him in previous incident where the recorded was discovered to be placed in a plastic bottle of mineral water.

Thank you.

Respectfully yours, 

Director Alice Q. Visperas
FOI Decision Maker