Gov’t will support all repatriates

Duterte warns Kuwait of ‘karma’

President Duterte said he was ready to “sell his soul to the devil” to provide funds to support Filipino workers returning from Kuwait. In the same breath, he warned Kuwait of possible “karma” for the abuses endured by some Filipino workers in the Gulf state.

Speaking before more than a

hundred repatriates – most of them women – at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) last night, the President promised to provide assistance to the displaced workers.

He said the government would “ensure that every Filipino is treated with decency.”

Earlier in the day when he during the oath-taking ceremony of new appointees in Malacañang, the Chief Executive offered government subsidy to the displaced Filipino workers so they could have comfortable lives in the wake of the deployment ban to Kuwat.

“They (Filipinos in Kuwait) can come here, I will support them. Ubusin natin ang pera natin. Hindi naman ito atin (Let’s use the money. This is not ours anyway). It belongs to the people. We’ll subsidize them,” Duterte said

“I will sell my soul to the devil to look for money so you can come home and live comfortably,” he added.

Dutert made the remarks before proceeding to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to welcome 116 returning Filipino workers from Kuwait. The repatriated workers are among the undocumented and overstaying OFWs who were allowed to leave Kuwait after applying for amnesty.

The workers are expected to be given financial assistance by the government.

Beware of ‘karma’ Speaking of karma – which refers to as the spiritual principle of cause and effect where good begets good and bad begets bad – Duterte warned Kuwait of possible karmic retribution.

“Alam mo Kuwait ang mundo umiikot. Minsan 'yan mabilis 'yan masyado minsan mag-abot 'yan ng tinatawag na karma (You know Kuwait, the world revolves – sometimes it is too fast and sometimes karma will reach you). When that time comes, you will remember us,” the President said.

He said he hopes there would be no repeat of maltreatment of workers in Kuwait, as he looks for alternative employment destinations such as China.

“Pero ngayon ako Presidente, sabihin ko sa lahat never never do it again. Kung hindi, wala na kayong makuha, (But now that I'm President, I'm telling you never, never do it again. If not, you won’t get anything from us),” he said.

The President reminded Kuwait that the country sent them assistance, including soldiers and health workers, at the height of the Gulf war in the 1990s. He asked Kuwait what the country did wrong to suffer such maltreatment of workers.

“Is this the way you repay us?” Duterte asked. “Anong nagawa ng Pilipinas sa inyo? Nagsisisilbi tapos inaabuso ninyo, pinagsasampal ninyo (What has the Philippines done for you? Serving you, then you resort to abuse; a slap in return).”

The President earlier ordered a deployment ban to Kuwait following reports of brutal deaths and other abuses of Filipino workers. He has also offered assistance to Filipinos wanting to leave Kuwait.

Financial assistance

Early in the day, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said each returning Filipino worker would be given R5,000 financial aid and another R20,000 in livelihood assistance from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

Roque said the country’s missions all over the world have also been alerted to find alternative employment opportunities for the displaced workers.

He said the government prefers countries that have signed an international accord on the protection of the rights of migrant workers. Among the possible alternative employment destinations are Oman and Bahrain that have no instance of abuse of Filipino workers.

Duterte also said China has opened its doors to Filipino workers, particular English teachers. He said he plans to visit China soon to further discuss the matter.

PH won’t be silent The latest case of abuse deplored by the President was discovery of a dead Filipino worker (Joanna Demafelis) inside a freezer.

“What have we done to you to deserve this kind of treatment?” an emotional President asked.

Duterte said he refused to stay silent about the OFW abuses in Kuwait, adding he could no longer tolerate how nationals were treated like animals.

“Don’t give me that sh*t about keeping silent. I will confront them... I want a total ban,” he said.

He admitted that three Arab officials were seeking a meeting with him over the issue. He said they were aware of the economic slowdown whenever Filipino workers, including engineers and other skilled workers, return to the country.