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UWM launches fundraising for murdered MHS security guard
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Posted on Nov 24 2008
The United Workers Movement launched yesterday a fundraising campaign for the late Efren Ballesteros, the Filipino security guard who was killed during a robbery at the Marianas High School on Nov. 17.
Ballesteros, who left behind five children, will be flown home within the week, but there is no definite date yet.
Record showed that the victim failed to renew his membership with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration since 2006. The annual renewal fee is just $25. It would have entitled him to the P200,000 life insurance payments and P20,000 for burial, for a total of $220,000 (about $4,400).
OWWA welfare officer Reynaldo Tayag said they could not extend any monetary assistance to Ballesteros or his family because he was an inactive member.
However, Tayag said, OWWA could still provide assistance while the body is at the hospital, informing his family back home about what happened and bringing the body to the airport.
The United Workers Movement said it condemns the killing and the manner with which Ballesteros was killed.
“The worker community of the CNMI mourns his untimely passing,” the group said in a statement asking for monetary support.
“The proceeds of this fundraising will partly pay for the cost to bring his body from NAIA Airport in Manila, Philippines to his province in Isabela,” said the solicitation letter signed by UWM president Irene Tantiado.
The remaining collection will be given to his two young children here on Saipan
“If you have any questions about this fundraising, kindly contact me at 285 7717. Thank you very much for your generosity. We assure you that your assistance will go a long way in helping the family of Efren,” UWM said.
