Migrant group blasts gov’t for tagging OFWs as ‘terrorists infected'

[qman]

Migrant group blasts gov’t for tagging OFWs as ‘terrorists infected’

Monday, 04/11/2005

A cause-oriented group that had been catering for the needs of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) yesterday blasted the Arroyo administration, specifically the Department of Justice (DoJ) for tagging overseas workers coming from the Middle East as “terrorists infected.”

In a statement, Migrante International spokesman Lito Mabaquiao said the accusation of Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez was “unfair” to Filipinos who are working in the Middle East for the sake of their families and the country.

The DoJ directed the National Bureau of Investigation to monitor OFWs coming from the Middle East especially Filipino Moslems because they may have become terrorists when they return to the country.

“OFWs should be spared from terrorists tagging because they only work abroad to earn money for their families. The DoJ should stop making wrong accusations against OFWs in the Middle East,” Mabaquiao said.

“It seems that the new heroes being hailed by the government for their remittances that keep the Philippine economy alive are now under surveillance for being suspected as “terrorists infected.” Why is this so? Is the Arroyo government not satisfied with tagging party-list groups, activists, media men, and Church people as enemies of the state? Why include the OFWs?” he added.

Mabaquiao pointed out the country is in the midst of economic and political crisis, the reason Filipinos tend to force themselves to work abroad so that they may give their families a descent life.

“High unemployment rate with 11 million of our people have no jobs. Migration for them is the best way to feed their families. In addition to this, even our professionals are degrading themselves and becoming victims of brain drain in order to be qualified to work in other countries. Many teachers work as domestic helpers and doctors are studying caregiver courses to migrate to Canada and Japan,” he said.

Mabaquiao said there are over a million Filipinos working in the Middle East.

“Many of them die, thousands are still in jail including women and children. They are risking their lives even in war-torn countries like Iraq and Afghanistan. The DoJ must realize the value that migrant workers in the Middle East contribute to our economy,” he said.

“We challenge the Arroyo administration to prove their malicious and nonsense accusation against the OFWs. We are new economic heroes and not terrorists,” he said.

[qman]

langya kala ko bagong bayani ako iyon pa naman ang title ko rito sa tsikot terorista na pala ako ngayon hehehe

[cyberdoc95]

Migrant group blasts gov’t for tagging OFWs as ‘terrorists infected’

Monday, 04/11/2005

A cause-oriented group that had been catering for the needs of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) yesterday blasted the Arroyo administration, specifically the Department of Justice (DoJ) for tagging overseas workers coming from the Middle East as “terrorists infected.”

In a statement, Migrante International spokesman Lito Mabaquiao said the accusation of Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez was “unfair” to Filipinos who are working in the Middle East for the sake of their families and the country.

The DoJ directed the National Bureau of Investigation to monitor OFWs coming from the Middle East especially Filipino Moslems because they may have become terrorists when they return to the country.

“OFWs should be spared from terrorists tagging because they only work abroad to earn money for their families. The DoJ should stop making wrong accusations against OFWs in the Middle East,” Mabaquiao said.

“It seems that the new heroes being hailed by the government for their remittances that keep the Philippine economy alive are now under surveillance for being suspected as “terrorists infected.” Why is this so? Is the Arroyo government not satisfied with tagging party-list groups, activists, media men, and Church people as enemies of the state? Why include the OFWs?” he added.

Mabaquiao pointed out the country is in the midst of economic and political crisis, the reason Filipinos tend to force themselves to work abroad so that they may give their families a descent life.

“High unemployment rate with 11 million of our people have no jobs. Migration for them is the best way to feed their families. In addition to this, even our professionals are degrading themselves and becoming victims of brain drain in order to be qualified to work in other countries. Many teachers work as domestic helpers and doctors are studying caregiver courses to migrate to Canada and Japan,” he said.

Mabaquiao said there are over a million Filipinos working in the Middle East.

“Many of them die, thousands are still in jail including women and children. They are risking their lives even in war-torn countries like Iraq and Afghanistan. The DoJ must realize the value that migrant workers in the Middle East contribute to our economy,” he said.

“We challenge the Arroyo administration to prove their malicious and nonsense accusation against the OFWs. We are new economic heroes and not terrorists,” he said.

SIMPLY not the right way to show appreciation for those who have worked their *ss off on a foreign country to improve their families' way of life in the Philippines.

[mazdamazda]

“OFWs should be spared from terrorists tagging because they only work abroad to earn money for their families. The DoJ should stop making wrong accusations against OFWs in the Middle East,” Mabaquiao said.

sheesh... that is why they are monitoring them to pinpiont who is the real terrorist...

another one blown out of proportion.

as if all OFWs are angels and saints.

then they all shiver in fear when the next bombing takes place.

[empy]

just a word of caution to not form snap judgements based on a single article quoting the head of a special interest group. i don't know any more than anyone else, but this is someone with an agenda being extensively quoted, here.

[qman]

before the article was published nagpalabas kasi ana intelligence department ng govt. na infiltrated ng terrorist ang mga ofw na pumupunta sa Middle east.

Bilang isang NGO nag react sila rito, and I agree sa reaksyon nila dahil kung mababasa ng mga middle east countries ang report na yon apektado ang mga pinoy na newly hired at kasalukuyang nagtatrabaho sa middle east.

twas not a single article, the above was the reaction of pinoy NGO sa report na pinalabas ng govertnment intelligence dept.