27 OFWs died of foul play in last 10 years

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 27 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have died in the last 10 years, all victims of foul play as reported by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), an official of the House of Representatives disclosed yesterday.

“This matter should deeply concern us Filipinos because it tells of the extreme risk to life that our overseas workers find themselves in while trying to make a decent living for their families,” Rep. Ron Salo of party-list Kabayan said.

The chairman of the House committee on overseas workers affairs enumerated the deaths that included eight in Saudi Arabia, five in South Africa, four in Kuwait and three in Cyprus. There were no details available for the seven others.

“It has now become more evident that the cases of Jullebee Ranara, Joanna Demafelis and Jeanelyn Villavende are not isolated, and this is unacceptable,” he said, urging government, through “competent lawyers, to closely monitor the cases and ensure conviction.”

Salo cited the need for government to take a more pro-active direction to ensure that justice is swiftly served to the perpetrators.

“We must engage competent lawyers to handle these cases and consistently monitor the process to ensure a successful prosecution and conviction of the perpetrators,” he proposed.

“I have said this time and again – convictions of these criminals will deter future aggressors against our kababayans, for they will know that our government is there to protect them,” Salo emphasized.

He also called on the public to report all incidents of possible abuse or exploitation of overseas Filipinos, including those that are sent in secret to relatives or friends. “We need everyone’s cooperation to put an end to these senseless deaths,” he said.

The DFA currently provides assistance to the families of OFWs who died of foul play by providing legal assistance in the prosecution of the suspects, as well as providing financial assistance to the families.

Meanwhile, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) intends to develop a program ensuring proper care for children of OFWs who are under the care of non-parents.

Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople said they will work with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in developing a program to help OFWs care for their children while they are abroad.

“We will hold talks on how we can help OFW children that were left with the care of non-parents. We will develop programs for them in partnership with DSWD,” Ople said at a recent briefing.

Ople disclosed the plan following the killing of the four children of OFW Virginia dela Peña.

The DMW and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration provided assistance to Dela Peña upon her return from Saudi Arabia.

Ople said DMW will continuously provide assistance to Dela Peña and her family during their time of grief. “There is one child left, the 15-year-old that was in another household. We will also be assisting that child,” Ople disclosed. – Mayen Jaymalin