PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte upholds his decision to continue the suspension of the country’s deployment of Filipino workers in Kuwait as the investigation on the death of an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) who allegedly suffered torture is being conducted.
“We do not intend to offend any government or anyone. But if a ban is what is needed, then let it be so,” Duterte said in a press briefing at Matina Enclave, Davao City on Friday. He decried the recent abuse and maltreatment against Filipino workers in the gulf state.
Duterte expressed disappointment on the rampant cases of abuses in the Middle East against Filipino workers mostly domestic helpers.
He added, “The ban continues today and I don't know until what time. I declared it early this morning…I cannot stomach this. It is totally, totally unacceptable to me.”
Duterte also announced that he directed the labor secretary to repatriate those OFWs in Kuwait who wish to come back home. He said that he will ask the flag carriers or airlines to provide transportation for the OFWs to immediately send them back here in three days in order to preserve their lives.
"So everyone who wants to come home, I said to Secretary Bello, those who want to be repatriated, with or without money, I will ask PAL and Cebu Pacific to provide the transportation. I want them out of the country those who want to go out in 72 hours,” he said.
This developed after the body of an OFW identified as Joanna Daniella Demafelis was found inside a freezer in an abandoned apartment and believed to be that has been there for more than a year. The Kuwaiti authorities are now in search for her employers, Lebanese Nader Assaf and his Syrian wife.
“The Filipino is no slave to anyone, anywhere, and everywhere,” Duterte said.
Based on the data, there were a total of 82 reported deaths of OFWs in 2016 and 103 last year. There were around 250,000 OFWs working in Kuwait.
“We do not seek special treatment or privileges for our workers, but we do expect respect for their dignity and basic human rights. Keep them free from harm. I implore you. Nakikiusap ako sa lahat ng mga Arabo,” he said.
“Every unlawful physical injury that is inflicted on an OFW is an injury [that] I personally bear as the head of this Republic,” he said.
Last month, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III has directed the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration to stop the processing of overseas employment certificates for Kuwait-bound OFWs after President Rodrigo Duterte expressed his apprehension on abuses against domestic helpers there.
Duterte plans to talk with Kuwaiti officials after the series of deaths of Filipinos who were working there. (JCR)