OFW in Myanmar recounts chaos after military coup; 105 Pinoys to go home March 17

An overseas Filipino worker in Myanmar saw for himself the unrest that followed the coup staged by the military in February.

In Yangon, Glenn Rellores found himself at a protest action to observe, according to a report by Oscar Oida on GMA News' Unang Balita on Tuesday.

He saw thousands of Myanmar citizens pouring onto the streets to protest the actions of the military, which include the arrest of popular leader Aung San Suu Kyi and several others.

News reports showed authorities lobbing tear gas canisters and using rubber bullets at protesters and raiding a university. Police were also shown beating up a man on the street. Still, protesters continued to occupy streets, even using smoke bombs to protect themselves.

"Napapanood ko 'yung mga nangyayaring harrassment... at marami na rin ang namamatay doon sa mga nagpoprotesta," Rellores said.

Rellores however believes that he and fellow OFWs will remain safe in Myanmar as long as they do not get involved.

"Pero as long as hindi po kami nakikialam sa internal affair ng Myanmar, siguro po masasabi kong safe na safe po kami at wala po kaming dapat ipangamba," he said.

Some 900 to 1,000 Filipinos are in Myanmar.

The Philippine Embassy continues to reach out to them and advise them to avoid joining protest actions.

"Kami din po sa Embassy, kumokonsulta sa Filipino community kung ano ang palagay nila, kung anong mga anticipated problems so that we can plan ahead. Ang hindi gustong mangyari ng DFA [Department of Foreign Affairs] is kung kailan ipit na ang tao, doon pa lang kikilos," Philippine Ambassador to Myanmar Eduardo Kapunan Jr. said.

A total of 105 Filipinos in Myanmar are expected to return to the Philippines on March 17.

Rellores however is not one of them. He said his work place is far from the areas where protests are held.

Kapunan assured relatives of OFWs in Myanmar that the Embassy is looking out for them.

"Sa mga kamag-anak ng mga OFWs natin who are so concerned about the welfare of their loved ones in Myanmar, huwag po kayong  masyadong mag-alala at minomonitor po ito ng mahigpit ng Department of Foreign Affairs. And we will not allow things to deteriorate to a point na hindi na tayo makapag-aksiyon," he said.

Data from the United Nations showed that 54 have been killed and 1,700 have been arrested so far in Myanmar.

The Philippines has called for the release of Suu Kyi from detention and for the return to the previous state of affairs in the nation. —KG, GMA News