MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has ordered an immediate investigation into a viral incident involving a staff member of the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Bahrain after a video surfaced showing the alleged mistreatment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) seeking government assistance.
Malacañang said the President was angered by the footage circulating online that showed MWO Bahrain employee Anthony Allermo confronting OFWs who had gone to the office to request cash assistance.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Marcos directed Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) secretary Hans Leo Cacdac to look into the incident and take appropriate action against those responsible.
“Hindi po ito ikinatuwa ng Pangulo. Nagalit siya para sa ating mga OFWs dahil sa pagmamaltrato ng ilang public servant,” Castro said.
She said the President stressed that government personnel stationed abroad are expected to extend help and compassion to Filipinos, particularly those affected by tensions in the Middle East.
“Ang utos ng Pangulo, tulungan lahat ang ating mga kababayan, mga OFWs, lalong-lalo na ‘yung mga naiipit ngayon sa nangyayari sa Middle East,” Castro said.
According to Castro, Marcos was particularly disturbed by how the OFWs were treated in the video and underscored that government workers must never abuse their authority or disrespect fellow Filipinos.
“Ang taong walang puso sa pagsisilbi ay walang puwang sa administrasyon ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.,” she said.
She also warned that public servants who are unwilling to serve Filipinos sincerely should voluntarily leave their posts.
“Kung hindi po niyo nais na magsilbi sa ating mga kababayan ng buong puso, kayo na po ang boluntaryong bumitaw sa inyong posisyon.”
Following the controversy, Cacdac ordered the recall of Allermo from his post pending investigation.
In the viral video, Allermo was heard telling OFWs who had arrived to request financial assistance to leave, explaining that the distribution had already ended and that no funds were left.
Several OFWs in the clip expressed frustration, saying they had traveled long distances to seek aid and that the office should have issued earlier notice that the assistance program had already concluded./PN
