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Robert’s return highlights joys, pains of OFWs — Migrante

BAGUIO CITY (June 23) — An alliance of overseas Filipino groups today expressed its joy over the imminent return of overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Robert Tarongoy, after more than 8 months of being held hostage by Iraqi rebels.

“Robert’s release is certainly ecstatic news for his family. Many Filipinos empathized with the family over the past seven months and many also offered prayers and support to urge the Arroyo administration to exhaust all means for Robert’s freedom,” says Connie Bragas-Regalado, Migrante International Chairperson.

An accountant from Davao, Robert, 31 years old, left the Philippines for Iraq on July 23, 2004. About a month later, he crossed into Baghdad from Qatar to work for the Saudi Arabia Trading Company, which caters food for the Iraqi military.

“Given the worsening economic crisis at home, it’s inevitable that many are pushed into risking their lives in warzones in a bid to earn a decent living for their families,” said Bragas-Regalado, nothing that the Arroyo administration’s “deployment ban” to Iraq is ineffective unless accompanied by policies that offer Filipino workers decent jobs in the Philippines. According to the DFA, an estimated 2,000 OFWs entered Iraq after the “deployment ban” was enforced.

“We also take this opportunity to reiterate our call that the Arroyo administration must withdraw its support of the US’ ‘war on terror’ immediately – otherwise, the possibility of other OFWs hostaged, like Angelo dela Cruz and Robert Tarongoy, are high,” she said.

Bragas-Regalado added that, “while we rejoice, we also remember the countless other OFWs who suffered, and continue to be hit by a range of human rights violations – while the Arroyo administration remains criminally negligent about their plight.”

Bragas-Regalado said the concrete experiences of OFWs and their families with Gloria over the past four years serves as the strong basis for Migrante International’s call to oust Gloria – especially in the wake of the massive fraud and deceit she committed in the past elections. #

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