Deployment ban sa Iraq, Afghanistan nananatili

MANILA, Philippines - Mananatili ang deployment ban sa Afghanistan at Iraq subalit ang mga kasalukuyang OFWs na nagtatrabaho sa US military bases at pasilidad ay puwedeng manatili sa kanilang trabaho.

“After making an assessment of the conditions in Afghanistan and Iraq based on input from Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), we have recommended that Filipino workers who are already employed in US military bases and installations in these countries be allowed to remain there to continue their employment,” pahayag ni Executive Secretary Pacquito Ochoa Jr.

Ayon kay Ochoa, chairman ng Overseas Preparedness Response Team, dahil sa usaping seguridad ay minabuti ni Pangulong Aquino na manatili ang deployment ban sa Afghanistan at Iraq kaya walang bagong workers ang papayagang magtungo sa nasabing mga bansa.

Aniya, tinataya ng DFA na nasa 7,000 ang kasalukuyang Pinoy workers sa mga military bases at pasilidad ng US sa naturang mga bansa.

“Ensuring the safety and security of our OFWs who work in Afghanistan and Iraq is our primary concern. Just as their livelihoods are important to them, their lives are important to us. We will take whatever precautions necessary so that nothing untoward happens to Filipinos who work in these countries,” wika ni Ochoa.