Envoy slammed for accusing dumpster-diving OFWs of ‘theatrics’

A migrant workers group on Sunday slammed a Philippine envoy to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) for accusing overseas Filipino workers of engaging in theatrics when they scavenged for food in garbage piles.

In a statement, Migrante–Middle East said Ambassador Adnan Alonto was wrong and out of touch with the situation of OFWs.

“We are not engaging in theatrics to try to get attention,” said Louie Perez, one of the OFWs who tried to find food in garbage heaps in Riyadh.

“Truth is, we do not have anything to eat. That is why we would wait for the garbage being thrown by supermarkets and would get the vegetables that are still edible,” Perez added.

Migrante–KSA chair Marlon Gatdula thus called on Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. to recall Alonto.

The Filipino Artists and Performers Society (FAPS) International meanwhile said that they had witnessed OFWs scavenging for food in Saudi Arabia.

Alonto, in a Friday tweet, said he doubted the veracity of reports on the situation of struggling OFWs.

“If reports reaching me are true, I’m disappointed with some of our people who have resorted to theatrics to catch attention. Fact is food assistance was given. Mamulot ng basura? C’mon!” Alonto tweeted.

If reports reaching me are true, I’m disappointed with some of our people who have resorted to theatrics to catch attention. Fact is food assistance was given. Mamulot ng basura? C’mon!

— Adnan Alonto (@adnanalonto) June 19, 2020

“Theatrics nga. The fact is food assistance was given. [Repatriation] is the goal. Well, exit visas need to be granted and more flights needed. That’s the truth. We are on it. Sana walang drama,” he added.

Theatrics nga. The fact is food assistance was given. Repetition is the goal. Well, exit visas need to be granted and more flights needed. That’s the truth. We are on it. Sana walang drama

— Adnan Alonto (@adnanalonto) June 19, 2020

Check his privilege

Perez, however, lamented the meager food assistance provided by the Overseas Workers Welfare Office (OWWA) and the delay in repatriation promised by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO).

Aside from this, he said many OFWs applied for financial assistance under the Department of Labor and Employment-Abot-Kamay ang Pagtulong (DOLE-AKAP) program, but they had not received any support.

Migrante–Middle East said OFWs suffered from job and income loss and delayed salaries due to the impact of the COVID-19

The group added that many of them were unable to support themselves because of this.

“Ambassador Alonto should check his privilege. He can say what he said because he still has his job and continues to receive his huge salary,” Gatdula said.

“If Alonto had tried to live for three months with the one-time assistance given to OFWs, he would know that OFWs scavenging for food are not merely engaging in theatrics or are just trying to call the public’s attention,” he added.

To support the reports of OFWs scavenging for food, Gatdula cited OFWs’ social media posts complaining about not having anything to eat because of the economic crisis tied to the pandemic.

“Let us tell you, Ambassador Alonto, which is the real theatrics: your government’s claim that we OFWs are modern-day heroes. We do not feel cherished, we feel abandoned and left for dead by the government. C’mon!” Gatdula said.

DFA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Ed Meñez told GMA News Online that Locsin would address the issue on Monday.

“There is more to this story than what some are saying,” Meñez said.

The OWWA, meanwhile, had yet to comment on the matter. — DVM, GMA News