Marcos angered by alleged abuse of OFWs by Bahrain Migrant Office staff

Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expressed anger over the alleged mistreatment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) by an employee of the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Bahrain after a video of the incident circulated online, Malacañang said on Tuesday, March 10.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the president was outraged by the reported behavior of MWO–Bahrain employee Anthony Allermo toward OFWs seeking assistance.

Castro said Marcos found the alleged conduct unacceptable, emphasizing that public servants must treat Filipinos abroad with respect and compassion.

“Hindi po pinalagpas ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. ang pangyayari sa pagitan ni MWO Bahrain employee Anthony Allermo at mga overseas Filipino workers doon. Hindi po ito ikinatuwa ng Pangulo. Nagalit siya para sa ating mga OFWs dahil sa pagmamaltrato ng ilang public servant,” Castro said.

[Translation: President Marcos Jr. did not let the incident between MWO Bahrain employee Anthony Allermo and the overseas Filipino workers there pass. The president was not pleased and was angered by the mistreatment of our OFWs by some public servants.]

In a Facebook video that went viral, a man identified as Allermo was seen addressing OFWs in what netizens described as an arrogant manner. At one point, he was heard telling them to “report to whoever you want to report to.”

According to Castro, the president immediately ordered Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac to look into the incident and take appropriate action.

“Noong nakita ng pangulo ang nag-viral na video na nagpapakita kay Allermo sa hindi magandang pagtrato sa mga OFWs ay agad niyang inutusan si DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac na mag-imbestiga at umaksyon sa naturang insidente,” Castro said.

[Translation: When the president saw the viral video showing Allermo treating OFWs poorly, he immediately ordered DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac to investigate and act on the incident.]

Allermo has since been recalled to his home office while an administrative investigation is ongoing, she said.

Castro stressed that government officials should never abuse their authority, adding that arrogance and disregard for the welfare of OFWs have no place in public service.

She also said anyone unwilling to serve fellow Filipinos with dedication should step down from their post.

Separately, Cacdac confirmed that he had ordered the recall of the MWO employee after the video showed him being highly disrespectful to OFWs.

“I assure our dear OFWs that we shall continue to serve with humility, respect and hard work,” Cacdac said in a statement.

The incident reportedly occurred outside the Philippine Embassy in Bahrain, where several OFWs had gathered seeking assistance amid tensions in the Middle East.

The embassy had earlier suspended financial assistance to OFWs starting March 6 to avoid crowding, in line with a Bahraini government ban on public gatherings during the regional escalation.

Some OFWs in the video said they had not been informed of the suspension.