News Release – September 5, 2005
References: Connie Bragas-Regalado, Chairperson, 0927-2157392
Instead of Gloria US trip:
Mission to save OFW hostages in Somalia and stranded workers in Saudi Arabia should be government priority
“Cancel the US trip and attend to our distressed compatriots!”
Thus declared the MIGRANTE Sectoral Party in criticizing Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for her complete inaction on the ongoing plight of 12 overseas Filipinos being held hostage in Somalia and over 300 stranded workers without food and medicine in Saudi Arabia .
“Pres. Macapagal-Arroyo Congress is a stubborn and negligent President towards Filipino citizens working abroad. In a precarious situation are 12 Filipino seafarers in Kismayo , Somalia who may get killed when Somali soldiers attack their rebel hostage-takers. Also suffering from government neglect are 300 stranded workers in Saudi Arabia ,” MIGRANTE Sectoral Party chairperson Connie Bragas-Regalado said.
Gunmen have been holding 48 fishermen and their three fishing vessels since August 15 and have demanded $500,000 for each of the boats and their crews, media reports quoting the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
“While Pres. Arroyo is obviously so eager in preparing for her United States trip to preside over the United Nations Security Council meeting from September 14 to 16, we strongly suggest that she cancels this trip and instead allot the funds for the needs of 12 OFW hostages in Somalia and the 300 stranded Filipinos roaming Saudi Arabia,” Bragas-Regalado said.
“Definitely, all these distressed OFWs would need food and medicine, aside from legal and other forms of assistance from the Philippine government. If this administration has funds to spend for trips of officials with questionable legitimacy like Arroyo, then it should not touch the trust funds at the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and get allocations from the national coffers to assist the OFWs in dire need of help,” Bragas-Regalado added.
Government has identified the twelve seafarers as Ramon de los Santos , Juner Diacan, Jimmy Gomez, Efren Nava, Melchor Mandanas, Amado Espina, Agustin Ybanes, Janit Ranido, Eduardo Monleon, Primo Galania, Rodel Tagawalo and Erwin Alminana.
“Saving our distressed compatriots should be a Malacanang priority. Government should not be pre-occupied with saving Arroyo's head from efforts to impeach her,” Bragas-Regalado ended. # -------------------------
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