Rey Anthony H. Chiu
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol May 14 (PIA) -- A group of Boholano
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) from Kuwait proved that they could
never just leave their countrymen behind
.
Because a Boholano has a sinew called help imbedded in his being a
Boholano where ever he may be, members of the 350-strong Tigum Bol-anon sa
Tibuok Kalibutan Kuwait (TBTK Kuwait) Chapter flexed this muscle just like what
every Boholano would do in a situation.
Wanting to keep safe about 70 distressed Overseas Filipino Workers
including children who were stranded at the Philippine Embassy in
Kuwait until their official release from suits filed against them, TBTK
Kuwait raised funds to help their kababayans.
Most of the OFWs alleged that they were maltreated
while some were sexually abused before they escaped to the embassy only to
be accused of crimes of theft and other mischief, TBTK Kuwait said.
"Gibogbog kay gusto na muoli kay humana ag contrata unya dili
paulion. Unya kay maot mag batasan gi bogbog og gipakulong tawon (Mauled
because the OFW wants to go home after completing the contract, but the master
doesn't want them to. The master is cruel, the OFW was mauled and sent to
prison)," the source narrated.
We have sent some home, after being cleared of cases, helping them
in returning to the country, a source from the group, in a chat, said.
"Dia pay usa ka taga Sevilla, gikulong sa kapolisan
gipasanginlan nangawat. Louy ba. Apan sagdi lang kay gitabangan na namo sya dre
(There is still one here, somebody from Sevilla, apprehended after being
accused of theft. Pitiful. But we are helping the OFW)," the source added.
"They could not work, they need food, something for their
personal necessities and most of all, they need to realize they have us
supporting them in their tough times," stressed TBTK Kuwait assistant secretary
Argie Mortejo of Cortes town said in an online chat.
Seeing this, TBTK Kuwait President, Engr Jim Dalugdog from
Balilihan and Vice President Jose Simangca of Bilar, steered the organization
into a raffle promo: each member selling tickets to raise funds for the
distressed Boholanos.
When they had pooled enough funds to help, with the Philippine
Embassy's Outreach Program, TBTK Kuwait organized feeding and turn-over of
personal necessities to the distressed OFWs in an event March 8 at the
Embassy.
"It was an emotional event, and Boholanos who received the
help couldn't stop from crying, some of them asking the group for more prayers
so they can immediately be allowed to go home. How can we ever leave
them?" TBTK, describing the event, shared.
"We are just happy that Boholanos here are united for a
cause, otherwise, what can one man do, away from home?" Mortejo
asked.
To help Bohol, just as TBTK Kuwait has sent help to families hit
by the earthquake, they also sent help to Loboc which was flooded early this
year.
Another upcoming activity for the group is sending another batch
of help to Bohol, aside from promoting the island home as a tourist
destination, according to TBTK president Dalugdog. (rmn/rac/PIA-7Bohol)