President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. expressed anger over reports that a member of the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Bahrain allegedly treated Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) rudely while they sought assistance, according to Malacañang.
In a press briefing on Monday, March 9, in New York, Palace Press Secretary Undersecretary Claire Castro said the President did not take lightly the incident involving employee MWO–Bahrain Anthony Alermo and several OFWs.
The incident reportedly occurred outside the embassy on Sunday, where OFWs affected by tensions in the Middle East sought aid.
“Hindi po pinalagpas ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. ang pangyayari sa pagitan ni MWO Bahrain employee Anthony Alermo at mga overseas Filipino workers doon," Castro said.
"Hindi po ito ikinatuwa ng Pangulo. Nagalit siya para sa ating mga OFWs dahil sa pagmamaltrato ng ilang public servant,” she added.
The incident came to light after a video showing Alermo allegedly turning away OFWs went viral online. Alermo heard telling distressed Filipinos, “walang pondo mula sa Maynila,” and dismissing their requests for help.
Castro said after viewing the video, the President instructed Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac to investigate and take appropriate action.
Castro confirmed that Alermo has been recalled to his home office in the Philippines while an administrative investigation is ongoing. Cacdac confirmed that the recall was implemented as of March 9.
“Noong nakita ng Pangulo ang nag-viral na video na nagpapakita kay Alermo sa hindi magandang pagtrato sa mga OFWs, ay agad niyang inutusan si DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac na mag-imbestiga at umaksyon sa naturang insidente. Sa ngayon ay ni-recall na si Alermo sa kanyang home office habang nagpapatuloy ang administrative investigation laban sa kanya,” Castro added.
She emphasized that the administration has zero tolerance for officials who fail to serve the Filipino people with heart.
“Ang taong walang puso sa pagsisilbi ay walang puwang sa administrasyon ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. Uuulitin po natin, ang utos ng Pangulo ay asikasuhin ang lahat ng ating mga kababayan, lalong-lalo na yung mga naiipit sa Middle East. Kung hindi po niyo nais na magsilbi sa ating mga kababayan ng buong puso, kayo na po ang boluntaryong bumitaw sa inyong posisyon,” Castro said.
“Ang utos ng Pangulo, tulungan lahat ang ating mga kababayan, mga OFWs, lalo-lalo na yung mga naiiipit ngayon sa nangyayari sa Middle East. Ang isang public servant ay hindi po dapat na umabuso sa kanilang kapangyarihan. Walang dahilan ang pagyayabang o pagwawalang-bahala sa ating mga kababayan,” she noted.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Embassy in Bahrain announced that distribution of financial assistance to OFWs has been suspended and that walk-in requests cannot be accommodated, in accordance with local security guidelines.
