Ismula calls for protection of OFWs, children amid Middle East tensions

Akbayan Party-list Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula on Sunday urged the Philippine government to prioritize the protection of overseas Filipino workers and children, as she condemned the escalating military strikes between US-Israel and Iran.

"Mula kagabi, dumadami ang reports ng mga OFWs natin na in distress dahil sa sunod sunod na pagbobomba. Ang ating mga OFW na naghahanapbuhay para sa kanilang pamilya ang laging dehado at pinakanahihirapan; kailangang may agarang tulong mula sa ating gobyerno (We have received distress calls from multiple OFW since the bombings last night. Our OFWs working for their families are always at a disadvantage and suffer the most; the government must step up to help)," Rep. Ismula said.

Ismula, a member of the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs, urged the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to ensure that all emergency protocols and evacuation plans are ready for thousands of Filipinos in Iran and the wider Middle East.

The party-list solon called for an immediate ceasefire to end the "forever wars" that destroy the lives of ordinary citizens and put the futures of millions of children at risk. She lamented that this act of war happened during the Holy Month of Ramadan, wherein Muslims are obliged to observe peace and compassion for humankind.

"Nasa aking pagdadasal ang mga bata, nanay at pamilya sa Middle East, kasama ang ating mga kababayan. Sila ang mga pinaka-biktima sa bawat giyera. Ang kapayapaan ay kolektibong responsibilidad nating lahat at dapat protektahan natin mula sa mga gahaman,” Rep. Ismula added. (The children, mothers and families in the Middle East, as well as our OFWs, are all in my prayers today. They are the most victimized in times of war and conflict. Peace is our collective responsibility and we should protect it from those who are greedy of power)