OFW from Argao commended for heroism in Syria

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia commended the heroism of a resident of Barangay Langtad, Argao, who rescued 30 fellow Overseas Filipino Workers at the height of the siege in Homs in Syria.

Riahlee Manayan, 34, a victim of illegal recruitment, was described by Garcia as a living heroine because of her efforts to locate fellow OFWs trapped in Homs because of the ongoing civil war in Syria. Manayan, using the name of Alma Bella Guiao in her passport for being an illegal alien in Syria, carried out a “mission impossible” of ferrying out her fellow workers to Damascus.

“She’s a living heroine. Angay lang siyang pasidunggan sa iyang pagpakita ug talagsaong paghigugma sa iyang isigkatawo (She should be honored for her exceptional love to her fellowmen,” Garcia when Manayan paid her a courtesy call yesterday.

Manayan, a single parent to a 16-year-old child, worked as caregiver in Homs for three years. She fell victim to an illegal recruiter in Manila during her first travel which made her use a different name in her passport. She was alleged promised $300 salary but was only paid $150 without any benefit.

At the height of the war in Syria she was appointed as coordinator of the Philippine Embassy to rescue other Filipinos trapped in the war-torn country.

“Makahimo gyud ko sa akong pag-rescue sa buntag kay tulog man ang akong gibantayan unya ako ra ning tawagan ang ubang mga Filipinas nga ni-coordinate pod sa Philippine Embassy. Mangayo ra ko sa ilang address kay akong adtuon ug magsakay kog taxi (I can do the rescue in the morning while my patient is asleep. I will call up the other Filipinas who also coordinated with the Philippine Embassy. I would ask for their address and go to their place riding a taxi),” Manayan said.

Manayan said she would take a cab because the military are not so strict with taxi cabs in the checkpoints.

“Nahadlok ko pag-una kay lagi naa pod koy mga pamilya nganhi sa Cebu pero luoy man pod gud ang mga Pilipina ngadto nga na-trap sa mga striktong amo kay dili sila papaulion. Nag-ampo lang gyud ko nga walay dautang mahitabo naku ug ma-successful akong pag-rescue sa akong mga kababayan ( I was afraid at first because I also have a family in Cebu but I feel pity to my fellow Filipina who were trapped in their strict employer who refused to allow them to go home. I only prayed that nothing will happen to me and that I would be successful in rescuing my countrymen),” she said.

Garcia urged the Provincial Board to pass a resolution commending Manayan. She was earlier commended by the House of Representatives for her heroism.— (FREEMAN)