Overseas Filipino workers (OFW) in the UAE have become wary about the safety of their kids back home, saying the recent spate of killings of OFW children over alleged involvement in drugs and illegal activities is adding stress to their lives working abroad.
“Hindi ako makatulog hangga’t wala pa sya sa bahay,” Anna Lagman, who works as an administrative officer in Sharjah, said explaining that she makes it a point to check on his teen-age son, 20-year-old Nozzeal Set through Skype “all the time.”
Lagman, who has been living in Dubai for the past five years added: “Nag-aalala din ako siyempre bilang ina. Kahit may tiwala ako sa anak ko na alam nya ang tama at mali, sa panahon ngayon nakaka-alarma talaga ang mga nangyayari. We pray hard na lang para sa kaligtasan ng bawat isa.”
Franz Ramirez-Angeles, a financial literacy advocate whose day job is with a multinational infrastructure company, expressed wariness as well. “Kakaiba ang sitwasyon ng mga anak ko. Their daddy is undergoing medical treatment and so is always away from home. Sila-sila lang nasa bahay,” she said.
Beth Fabic, a general manager at a facilities management company in Dubai, for her part said, she and her husband always check on their 27-year-old, married daughter, Aica. “Kahit may asawa na, sa mga nangyayari sa atin, palagi pa rin kami nagmo-monitor sa kanya. Lagi naming syang tinatawagan at pinapa-a-lalahanan na wag uuwi ng gabi. Sinasabihan ko din ang mga pamangking kong lalaki na iwas gimik. Nakakatakot kasi para sa mga bata na nasa labas pa rin kahit gabi na,” Fabic said.
Rubie Baltazar-Evangelista, who works at a multinational company in Dubai, has a 26-year-old son, Kevin with whom she has always also been in touch with. She said she’s not that worried. “Nasa environment naman nya yun at sa mga klase ng friends na meron sya,” she said.
She added: “Kung hindi exposed ang anak mo sa mga lugar na delikado at depende rin yan sa routine – kung school at bahay klang sya; going out with very few and decent friends and with family, eh there’s nothing to worry about.”
A spokesperson in the Middle East for the OFW advocacy group, Migrante likewise expressed concern on the spate of killings.
“Lubhang nakakabahala ang mga sunod sunod na pangyayaring patayan sa kabataan natin sa pilipinas at ang mga salarin ay mga alagad ng batas. Higit na nakakabahala ang panahon natin sa ngayon dahil hindi na lang masasamang loob ang kinatatakutan ng ating mamamayan kundi maging ang mga alagad ng batas na any moment ay pwede kang paratangan ng kasong gawa gawa nila at hindi na dumadaan sa maayos na proseso,” Nhel Morona said.
Morona said he has grown-up children in the Philippines and he constantly reminds them to always be cautious and, for their safety, not to venture out during the night.
“Palagi kong binibilinan ang mga anak ko na laging mag iingat at huwag nang lalabas ng bahay kung wala namang importanteng gagawin specially sa gabi,” he said.
Another OFW parent likewise expressed her opinion albeit with a slightly different hue.
“Hadlok oi ug naa kay anak sa Pinas. Wala ka kabalo ug unsay mahitabo. Pero need gyud ipadayon ang war on drugs kay looy kaayo ang next generation. Very messy gyud but hopefully in the end, malipayon ang tanan. Daghan happy karon sa dagan sa Pinas. (It’s so scary if you have children back home. You will never know what would happen to them. But the war on drugs has to continue for the benefit of the next generation. It’s very messy indeed but many are generally happy with the current situation in the country),” said Linda Masinkal.
At least three teenagers have been slain over the past weeks over alleged drugs and other illegal activities Kian Loyd delos Santos, 17, a high school student who was killed in a drug crackdown; Carl Angelo Arnaiz, son of a Dubai-based OFW who was killed for allegedly trying to rob a taxi, his alleged cohort, 14-year-old Reynaldo de Guzman; and 17-year old Vaughn Carl Dicang of Baguio City and son of another OFW.
President Duterte has claimed the killings were orchestrated by drug rings out to “sabotage” his administration’s war against illegal drugs which has so far claimed some 13,000 lives as of last month. (With Gelin Castro)
The following is being passed around in the social media as a safety reminder. The Filipino Times is posting this for the same purpose.
1) limit activities at night especially those whose residences are in inner cities or epicenters of violence;
2) have an alternative place for the night if you can’t make it home by 11 in the evening;
3) be on heightened alert while walking on the street or commuting;
4) keep your phone camera ready to record video at all times while on the street or commuting;
5) avoid texting or engaging on social media while on the street or commuting, stay alert;
6) always tell your next of kin where you are going, estimated time of arrival at your destination and call them once you have arrived;
7) keep doors and windows locked at night, don’t open your door to strangers;
- Don’t while away time at open spaces around convenient stores or eateries;
9) if you have to stand and wait for rides or persons choose a covered place, near the post of a waiting shed, etc., be alert, don’t while away time on your cellphones or gadgets;
10) don’t use earphones or headphones while on the street or commuting, don’t fall asleep during rides;
11) if violence occurs run as far away from the sound of the commotion. If there is perceived gunfire, duck and cover and crawl away from the source of gunfire;
12) aside from cellphones, bring whistles with you. On an act of an unlawful arrest or restrain shout your name as loud as you can and that you are being illegally restrained;
13) if driving, be observant of riding in tandems, especially those who appear to be following your vehicle. In such case, take evasive action;
14) before you leave your residences hug and kiss your loved ones. Hug and kiss them when they arrive home.
