Former Senator and senatorial candidate Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has called for stronger protections for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) following the recent rescue and repatriation of 176 Filipinos from Myanmar, many of whom were victims of human trafficking and illegal recruitment.
Pangilinan expressed deep concern over the continued exploitation of Filipino workers abroad, emphasizing that many take extreme risks due to worsening economic conditions in the Philippines.
“Ang masakit dito, marami sa ating mga kababayan ang napipilitang sumugal sa ilegal at delikadong trabaho sa ibang bansa dahil sa gutom at kawalan ng oportunidad sa Pilipinas,” Pangilinan said. “Kung sapat ang kita at may murang pagkain sa bansa, hindi kailangang ipagsapalaran ng ating mga OFW ang kanilang buhay.”
Pangilinan strongly condemned the traffickers and illegal recruiters who take advantage of vulnerable Filipinos seeking better livelihoods. He called on the government to intensify crackdowns on these criminal syndicates and ensure stricter enforcement of labor protections.
“Dapat walang puwang sa lipunan ang mga sindikatong ito. Kailangang palakasin natin ang batas laban sa human trafficking at tiyakin na hindi sila makakalusot,” he stressed. “We must strengthen international cooperation to go after traffickers and ensure the safe return of every Filipino in distress.”
Pangilinan emphasized the need for more proactive measures to prevent such incidents, including:
Stricter regulations and monitoring – Strengthening POEA, DFA, and MWO oversight to detect and prevent illegal recruitment activities.
Faster legal assistance – Ensuring that embassies and labor offices provide immediate legal aid to trafficked and abused OFWs.
Sustainable livelihood programs – Expanding reintegration programs for returning OFWs so they can find stable jobs and income sources in the Philippines.
Food security as a long-term solution – Addressing hunger and economic desperation at home to reduce the need for Filipinos to take on high-risk jobs abroad.
Pangilinan reiterated that hunger knows no political color and that addressing food insecurity is key to reducing forced migration.
“Ang laban natin ay laban para sa pagkain sa murang presyo at disenteng hanapbuhay. Ang ating mga OFWs ay bayani, pero hindi natin sila dapat iwan sa sitwasyong kailangan nilang maging bayani para lang maitawid ang kanilang pamilya,” he said.
He vowed to push for stronger policies that will not only protect OFWs but also create economic opportunities at home so that working abroad becomes a choice, not a necessity.
“Our goal should be to create a Philippines where no Filipino is forced to leave just to survive. Para wala nang Mary Jane Veloso. Para wala nang Flor Contemplacion. Walang kulay ang gutom, at dapat wala ring kulay ang solusyon.”