Metro Manila, Philippines – The Tulfo siblings in the Senate called out some government offices stationed in the Middle East, citing complaints from overseas Filipino workers that they are unreachable amid the security crisis.
In a hearing of the Senate committee on migrant workers on Thursday, March 5, Senator Raffy, the committee chairman, said he received around 100 complaints through his Facebook page about unreachable hotlines, particularly in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and in Bahrain.
“In fairness to you, baka overwhelmed kayo, nabi-busy ang hotline kaso sinasabi ring nang ring lang daw [maybe you are overwhelmed and the hotline is very busy, but the complainants say the phone just keeps ringing],” he said.
He noted complaints that some officers from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) were absent. One complaint even said the Migrant Workers Office in Bahrain was closed on March 1, a day after the conflict broke out.
“Ang advice ko kailangan hanggang may OFW tayo doon… nandoon kayo,” Senator Raffy said.
DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac disputed the allegation, saying the agency held a series of online meetings that day and that he personally saw the personnel from Bahrain.
“Nagpulong kami lahat, including the ambassadors of the DFA with our labor office personnel, welfare officers, labor attaches, administrative staff. Nakita ko po sa sarili kong mata sa Zoom call yung tao natin sa Bahrain, yung labor attache natin, at welfare officers,” Cacdac said.
[Translation: We held a meeting with everyone, including DFA ambassadors, our labor office personnel, welfare officers, labor attachés, and administrative staff. I personally saw our personnel in Bahrain on the Zoom call, including our labor attaché and welfare officers.]
“Nevertheless, we will look deeper into this,” he added.
Cacdac stressed that he had ordered all offices to be on “all hands on deck” and that there should be no absences.
Senator Erwin said he also received a complaint from Dubai about an unreachable hotline, which prompted him to call Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro.
DFA Assistant Secretary Ezzedin Tago said that upon Lazaro’s instructions, he contacted the concerned officials and asked all offices to make sure that hotline numbers posted online are updated.
“Inexplain lang po ng Israel that kapag merong siren at nasa baba sila sa shelter, hindi sila makareceive ng tawag pero pwedeng WhatsApp call. In-explain din ng Iran hindi sila nakakatanggap ng international calls,” he said.
[Translation: Israel explained that when there is a siren and when personnel are in shelters underground, they cannot receive calls but can answer through WhatsApp. Iran also explained that they cannot receive international calls.]
‘Just resign’
In a separate press conference, Senator Erwin lashed out at the alleged absentee officials, saying that while he understands they may fear for their lives, they should resign if they are unprepared for the hazards of the job.
“Kung natatakot kayo, pagka humupa ito lumayas kayo diyan. Mag-resign kayo lahat. Wala naman kayong mga silbi,” he said.
[Translation: “If you are afraid, once this situation eases, leave your posts. All of you should resign. You are of no use.]
“This should be your shining moment kayo diyan sa DFA, DMW at tska OWWA sa ibang bansa, kailangan na kailangan kayo ng mga kababayan natin. Gawin ninyo ang trabaho ninyo,” he added.
[Translation: This should be your shining moment there in the DFA, DMW, and OWWA abroad. Our countrymen need you the most right now. Do your jobs.]
Asked whether he would seek to hold the allegedly absent officials accountable, Senator Raffy said he would tackle the issue on Friday, March 6. He will lead the committee on foreign relations’ inquiry on the response to the Middle East conflict.
