QUEZON CITY, Philippines (Eagle News) — No law was violated by the Philippines after the Department of Foreign Affairs sent a team to rescue distressed Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Kuwait, according to a lawmaker.
In a radio interview with Net25’s Radyo ng Agila, ACTS-OFW Partylist Representative John Bertis said that the operation conducted by the DFA’s rapid rescue team was well-coordinated with the local authorities in Kuwait.
The rescue operation dubbed as “Rescue in the Desert” video was posted in social media.
Bertis said that while the sharing of the video was due to a misunderstanding, it was still the Philippine government’s duty to safeguard all Filipinos especially those who cry out for help.
“Nagkaroon lang talaga ng hindi magandang pagsha-share sa social media, tapos sinakyan pa ng mga comment lalo na rin nung ibang Kuwaiti rin. Pero wala tayong nilabag na sovereign rights nila. Unang-una hindi tayo pumasok sa mga bahay during the operation. Nung tumatawag po yung mga sinasagip natin, nandoon lang po sila nag-aantay lang sa labas ng kanilang bahay at doon sila tumatakbo. Talagang buwis-buhay din talaga ang pagsagip sa ating mga kababayan,” Bertis said.