A VIRAL video showing the mistreatment of overseas Filipino workers in Bahrain by a Migrant Workers Office (MWO) staff member has drawn the ire of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Malacañang said.
In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said Marcos immediately ordered Migrant Workers 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,” Castro told reporters in Filipino on the sidelines of Marcos’ engagements at the United Nations Headquarters late Monday night.
“A public servant should not abuse their power. There is no reason to brag or ignore our countrymen,” she added.
The official was referring to a video shared across social media platforms where Allermo was seen shooing away Filipinos from the consulate.
The OFWs were seeking assistance as they were affected by the recent hostilities in the Middle East.
Allermo could also be heard saying that nothing could be done, no matter where or to whom they aired their grievances.
“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 anyone who lacks a genuine desire to serve the public has no place in government, and that erring employees and officials should resign or be terminated.
Castro also addressed criticisms that the government has neglected Filipinos asking to be flown back to the Philippines amid the volatile situation in the Middle East.
The official noted that the DMW has processed flight bookings for those wanting to flee the hostilities.
“Today, 16 OFWs from Tel Aviv, Israel, traveled by land to the southern Israel town of Eilat, which borders Egypt via the Taba border crossing. These 16 OFWs crossed the Egyptian border and will take the Cairo-to-Muscat-to-Manila flight with an ETA in Manila on March 11, 9:30 p.m. Philippine time,” Castro said.
“We have 20 OFWs from Dubai, with nine OFW dependents, who traveled from Dubai to Oman via the Khatmat-Malaha border crossing in northern Oman. Upon crossing the Omani border, they will go to Muscat and take the Muscat-to-Manila flight with an ETA in Manila on March 10, 9:30 p.m. Philippine time,” she added.
In the United Arab Emirates, the Philippine government also booked commercial flights for OFWs and their dependents coming from Dubai.
Flights are also being arranged for citizens in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with the earliest departure set for March 14.
This repatriation operation will be funded through the Emergency Repatriation Fund of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, an attached agency of the DMW, Castro noted.
More than 400 Filipinos have returned to the Philippines since the conflict in the Middle East began.
