“With that decision is our strong message that enough is enough,” declared CBCP-ECMI chair Ruperto Santos, bishop of the Diocese of Balanga.
Santos was referring to the abuses committed against OFWs, especially to domestic helpers, the latest on Joanna Demafelis who was found dead inside a freezer in Kuwait.
Santos said that life matters and should never be abused. “The life of an OFW and that of every Filipino are precious and special and should be protected. Their rights must be respected and their dignity promoted,” he said.
The Bataan prelate said that the CBCP-ECMI appreciates the livelihood assistance of government and its efforts of repatriation for abused Filipino workers.
“We appeal to our undocumented OFWs to take advantage of amnesty and repatriation to our country. At the same time, we ask government to create more jobs so that they will not be forced to work abroad and suffer separation from their families,” Santos said.
He urged that those guilty in the abuses committed against OFWs, including placement agencies, be investigated and punished.
