Between the devil and the deep blue sea
Questions were being asked as to why would Filipinos in war-torn countries like Libya and Afghanistan, Iraq or Israel would choose to remain in their host countries rather than be repatriated at the expense of the government. There was even a specific inquiry why one Filipino, who was already rescued from Libya and evacuated in transit in Malta, would escape from his rescuers from OWWA and DFA and ventured into unknown territories just to avoid coming home to our country. We thought all the time that there is no place like home. We are wrong.
The answer, of course, is, another question. If he comes home, what job opportunities would be available to him? What work and livelihood would be open to him here? Thus, he would rather choose to go undocumented in some countries because, for sure, he would meet another Filipino who would certainly help him find a job there. The difficulties would only be at the start. In no time at all, the job market in that country would have certain odd job that could tide him over a couple of weeks until he could find a long term opportunity that would have a use for his talents and skills. The Filipinos have a long history of adventurism and daring.
It is always a choice between the proverbial Schylla and Charibides, or the devil and the deep blue sea. It is a choice of going hungry here or being in a very difficult situation abroad. I was a Labor Attache for almost ten years in three countries. I have plenty of empirical data and anecdotal evidence to prove that there indeed are a lot of Filipinos who would risk life, limbs, and even honor just to get a job abroad. They would not mind their personal safety and security if only to assure that their families survive the challenges of extreme poverty. I have met many of our countrymen who are like this and we can never judge them one way or the other.
In Malaysia, where I worked as a labor diplomat for three years, I have met thousands of Filipinos who are in the detention centers in Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan for violating Malaysian immigration laws. They just crossed the channel that separates the southernmost part of the Turle Islands and go to Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Samporna and other places in Sabah and Sarawak. Many of them have been going in and out of that country, and going in and out of jails for being undocumented. We do not have the right to call them ''illegal''. They are only undocumented.
In Kuwait, where I was Labor attache for two years, I have seen drivers who dare to cross the border to Iraq and risked even under raging battles and shooting wars because they have to earn a living for their loved ones. They have children who are going to college, parents who are in the hospital, or debts that have to be paid, mortgages that have be amortized, and obligations to pay. In Central Taiwan, I have seen how our people dare to get double jobs or even triple jobs just to maximize their earnings just to send home the bacon. In China, some of our OFWs have been unwittingly involved in becoming drug couriers just to make money for their family.
It is easy to condemn them because we are not in their shoes. I am not condoning their illegal activities. Neither am I judging them one way or the other. They really have hard choices to make. But what distinguishes them from corrupt politicians and dishonest businessmen is that they are willing to face the consequences of their choices. What matters most to them is that their children have food to eat and they will have roof over their heads. If we were in their place, would we not do the same?
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