Government urged to prioritize protection of Pinoys overseas

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Bong Go has appealed to the government for greater protection and assistance to overseas Filipino workers and their families, as he extended his condolences to the family of a murdered Filipino worker in Abu Dhabi.

The suspect in the murder of Mary Anne Daynolo in Abu Dhabi last year has confessed to the crime, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

The remains of Daynolo, who went missing in March, arrived in Manila on Saturday.

“I offer my deepest condolences to Mary Anne’s family for her untimely passing. Their grief and pain at this time are beyond words. My thoughts and prayers are with them and everyone who loved her,” Go said.

He also expressed grave concern over the reported trafficking of Filipino women to Syria who ended up abused by their employers.

To improve the delivery of services to overseas Filipinos, especially OFWs in distress, the senator filed Senate Bill 1949 on Dec. 14 last year.

Under Go’s proposed measure, the department shall subsume and streamline all responsibilities pertaining to overseas employment and migration that are presently scattered among various departments and agencies. It will be primarily responsible for protecting the rights and promoting the welfare of overseas Filipinos as well as managing and monitoring their employment abroad and reintegration once they return.

Go said Daynolo’s death has highlighted the risk many OFWs face abroad.

“The United Arab Emirates (UAE) police authorities conducted a full-blown investigation which led to the arrest of the murder suspect who eventually confessed to the crime,” the DFA said in a statement.

“The suspect, currently under police custody, was Ms. Daynolo’s colleague at the hotel they were working in,” it said.

The DFA, through the Philippine embassy in Abu Dhabi, is in close coordination with the Daynolo family and the Abu Dhabi authorities in the investigation of her death.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs extends its deep condolences to the family and assures them of the Philippine government’s continuing guidance, support and assistance in their time of grief and in the anticipated judicial process,” the DFA said.