MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was angered by reports that Filipinos were mistreated in Bahrain by a staff of the Department of Migrant Workers based in that country, Malacanang said on Tuesday.
In a press briefing in New York, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said Marcos immediately ordered DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac to take action against the MWO personnel identified as Anthony Allermo.
“President Marcos Jr. did not let pass the incident between MWO Bahrain employee, Anthony Allermo, and overseas Filipino workers there. The president was not happy about it. He was angry for our OFWs because of the mistreatment they received from some public servants,” Casto told reporters in Filipino at the sidelines of Marcos’ engagements at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters late Monday night.
The official was referring to a video shared across social media platforms where Allermo was seen shooing away Filipinos from the consulate who were seeking assistance as they, too, were affected by the recent hostilities in the Middle East.
Allermo could also be heard saying that nothing can be done no matter where or who they air their grievances to.
“When the president saw the viral video showing Allermo mistreating OFWs, he immediately ordered DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac to investigate and take action on the incident,” Castro said.
She added that any one who has no genuine desire to serve the public has no place in the administration and erring employees and officials should resign or be terminated from their posts.
