Duterte praises Israel for humane treatment of OFWs

President Rodrigo Duterte lauded the treatment of Israel to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), saying that the Holy Land was among the places where Filipinos are treated as human beings.

“I have yet to hear any na problema manggaling sa ano-anong klaseng Pilipino nandito,” Duterte said Monday (Manila time) in a speech before the Filipino community in Jerusalam, Israel.

The President said that Israel was one of the most beautiful places an individual could visit where Filipinos were treated well.

He even joked of bringing the entire Filipino population in the Middle Eastern country where the quality of life is way better.

“Isa sa pinakamagandang lugar na pwede mong puntahan and you are treated as a human being. Kaya if di naman minasama… pardon me, but if Israel would want, ipadala ko lahat ng Pilipino dito kasi mas maganda ang buhay dito,” Duterte said.

The Middle East is home to a large population of Filipino workers who send their earnings back home, making them one the strong pillars of the country’s economy.

However, persistent reports of abuses to OFWs, particularly against domestic helpers, have also been recorded in the region. /cbb

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