OFWs to send letters to soldiers fighting in Marawi

Thousands of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) have expressed their interest to send letters of hope to the Philippine troops who are still fighting the Maute Group in Marawi City, through the Philippine Army’s #OgopMarawi campaign, the Blas F. Ople Policy Center (BOPC) said yesterday.

“Millions of overseas Filipino workers around the world would like to take part in #Ogop to show their support for the government’s fight against violent extremism,” BOPC President Susan Ople said.

“Our OFWs are considered as modern-day heroes of the country while our soldiers are national heroes for putting their lives on the line to keep all of us safe...our OFWs from every nook and corner of the world are eager to participate (in the #OgopMaraw),” Ople said.

“They can mail their postcards and letters bearing positive messages for our soldiers to the embassy, which can then forward these to the DFA in Manila via diplomatic pouch,” she added.

The former labor official urged the Department Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to accept letters and postcards from OFWs abroad.

She said the Philippine Postal Corporation (PhilPost) has already committed to deliver the collected letters and postcards to the Philippine troops stationed in Marawi City.

Last Tuesday, the Philippine Army’s Civil Military Operations Group (CMOG) launched its #OgopMarawi campaign to encourage the public to show their concern to the sacrifices of the Philippine troops.

‘Ogop’ is a Maranao word for help.