MANILA - A Filipino overseas worker based in Singapore appealed to people not to use the tragedy brought about by typhoon “Ondoy” to extort hard-earned money from OFWs in the pretext of donations.

In a letter sent to ABS-CBN’s i-report, Liezl Zey Gutierrez revealed that there random text messages circulating in Singapore asking for donations to help families affected by the typhoon in the Philippines.

“The targeted SMS recipients are the OFWs and Pinoys living in abroad,” said Gutierrez.

Gutierrez said she received such text messages asking for donations for Ondoy victims.

“After replying, the sender provided a bank account where OFWs like me can send cash donations, but when I replied on which institution or organization will actually receive the "alleged donations", the sender stopped replying,” explained Gutierrez.

Gutierrez is uncertain if the modus operandi is just in Singapore or if it has already reached other countries.

She appealed to those “heartless” people to stop deceiving OFWs who are really willing to extend assistance to typhoon-hit Filipinos. She added that they, too, are worried about the condition of their families back home.

“I just hate it when other people take advantage of the situation instead of helping, and hate it when good-hearted people are being victimized… I just want the donation to fall on the hands of the right institutions and individuals, so the money can really go a long way in helping our kababayans,” she said.

Last Saturday, the Philippine government declared a state of calamity in 26 areas in Luzon, including Metro Manila.

The provinces placed under a state of calamity were Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Viscaya, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Zambales, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Quezon, Isabela, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Cavite, Batangas, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Marinduque, Camarines Norte, Bataan and Metro Manila.

As soon as the news about the typhoon and its devastation reached them, OFWS have mobilized themselves in an effort to pool resources to help affected families.

Migrante International has tapped its chapters based in the Middle East to initiate a fund-drive for Ondoy victims.

Also, Filipinos based in Italy offered a mass and conducted a fundraising drive to benefit families affected by the typhoon.

Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs said that cash donations for typhoon victims can also be deposited to the Department of Social Welfare and Development bank account, the details may be found in the DSWD website.

This, after Filipino communities concerned about the tragedy had asked Philippine Posts, particularly the Philippine Consulates General in Hong Kong, Los Angeles and Dubai on where to give their donations.

ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. www.abs-cbnfoundation.com is also accepting overseas donations for typhoon victims.