SEN. Bong Go has called for stronger protection for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) following the fatal shooting of two Filipina household service workers in Beirut, Lebanon.
The incident, confirmed by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), occurred on April 15 during a hostage situation in the Lebanese capital. Authorities reported that the victims were shot by their employer.
The suspect has been arrested and is awaiting the filing of charges.
“This news is painful. Our compatriots working abroad are sacrificing for their families, so we must ensure that they are safe wherever they are,” Go said, underscoring the risks faced by Filipino workers overseas.
The DMW said it is coordinating closely with the Philippine Embassy in Lebanon and local authorities for a thorough investigation.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac has directed concerned agencies to extend full assistance to the victims’ families, including repatriation arrangements, financial aid and access to government benefits.
Go stressed that beyond immediate relief, authorities must reinforce preventive mechanisms, including stronger coordination with host governments and stricter monitoring of working conditions for deployed Filipinos.
He emphasized that the tragedy highlights risks faced by OFWs, particularly domestic workers.
He said that in 2018, during the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippines stopped deploying workers to Kuwait following a series of OFW abuse and death cases. Deployment resumed only after both countries agreed on enhanced labor protection and monitoring systems.
Go reiterated the importance of institutional reforms such as Republic Act 11641, which created the Department of Migrant Workers to streamline services and strengthen protection mechanisms for OFWs. He is among the law’s authors and co-sponsors.
The Beirut killings come amid growing concerns over the safety of Filipinos in volatile regions. Recent reports also confirmed the deaths of Filipina workers in Israel.
Mary Ann de Vera was identified in March as the first Filipino casualty in the ongoing war, followed by another Filipina killed in a missile strike in Haifa in April.
