Overseas Workers Welfare Administration official Arnell Ignacio reminded the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) always to be aware of the law being implemented in their working country.
In a video message, Ignacio couldn’t hide his frustration with the OFWs who were risking their lives.
It can be recalled that five OFWs based in United Arab Emirates (UAE) are now asking for help from the government after they were put under the custody of the authorities after their video introducing themselves as escorts went viral.
According to Ignacio, they were already repeatedly reminding the OFWs to be careful of doing anything against the law of foreign countries where they were working. Still, many of them kept repeating the same mistake.
However, the government has no choice but to assist the said OFWs.
“Pag napahamak naman, magsusumbong sa lahat ng television station, radio, tapos iibahin niyo ‘yung kwento, hindi niyo iku-kwento ‘yung kalokohan niyo,” Ignacio said.
“Hindi ba tayo nahihiya sa mga pinagagagawa natin? Tandaan niyo, pag lumipat kayo ng ibang bansa, para kayong ambassador ng bansa natin, Pilipinas, yan ang nire-represent mo, yung ibang lahi nakikita ang mga kalokohan niyo [kaya] akala nila ganyan tayong lahat.
“Magbo-boyfriend, magpapabuntis kahit na sa lugar na yan ay haram, bawal pagkatapos kapag napahamak, ano ‘yung sasabihin? Kayo pa ‘yung mas matapang eh, yung mga OFWs na matino at nagtatrabaho ng mahusay, nadadamay eh, hindi naman po porket kayo ay bagong bayani ay lisensya na yan para gumawa kayo ng gusto niyo kahit kayo ay mapapahamak,”
Ignacio told the people who were planning to be an OFW to stop their plans working to another country if they’re not willing to follow the law.