OFW gets sick, dies in Uzbekistan; co-workers uncertain where his remains are

A migrant Filipino skilled worker in Uzbekistan died days after he suddenly fell ill, mystifying his co-workers.

According to JP Soriano’s Thursday report on “24 Oras,” alias Roy suddenly became sick on July 13.

It was unclear what caused the illness but his blood pressure also became unstable and he lost his sense of taste.

His co-workers’ calls for help from hospitals and their employer also went unheard for days.

Roy died on July 15.

“Hindi na po namin alam kung nasaan ang bangkay niya ngayon,” his friend Thipins Lumombong said.

Roy and Lumombong are among some 200 Filipino skilled workers employed by a company in Uzbekistan.

The Philippines does not have an embassy, consulate, or labor office in the Central Asian nation, posing problems for Filipinos there who need help.

Lumombong also said their employer continues to make them report to work even amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“Gusto lang po namin humingi ng tulong na makauwi diyan sa Pilipinas sa lalong madaling panahon dahil mas lumalala na po, mga kababayan, ang kaso ng COVID dito,” he said.

The Filipinos in Uzbekistan also expressed concern about the COVID-19-positive individuals housed near the compound where they are staying.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said it will repatriate Filipinos in Uzbekistan along with those in Iran.

“The complications are, of course, the lockdowns and also if the Iran post would be allowed to enter the territory of Uzbekistan,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Sarah Arriola said.

The department said its goal before July ends is to repatriate up to 50,000 stranded Filipinos, mostly from the Middle East.

Over 117,000 Filipino migrant workers are stranded in different countries due to the pandemic. —Julia Mari Ornedo/LDF, GMA News