SERNATOR Raffy Tulfo, chairman of the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers, has issued a strong condemnation of the ongoing deployment of Filipino overseas workers (OFWs) to Kuwait, citing a disturbing pattern of deaths and abuse. His call for a complete ban on deployment follows a series of tragic incidents, highlighting the perilous conditions faced by Filipino workers in the Middle Eastern nation.
The Senate hearing, convened to address the protection of OFWs, brought to light several harrowing cases. These include the brutal murder and burning of Jullebee Ranara in 2023, the discovery of Joanna Demafelis’s body in a freezer in 2018, and the deaths of Constancia Lago Dayag (May 2019), Jeanelyn Villavende (December 2019), Dafnie Nacalaban (December 31, 2024), and Jenny Alvarado (January 2, 2025). Each case underscores the systemic vulnerabilities faced by Filipino workers in Kuwait.
Senator Tulfo revealed that his office receives an average of 150 complaints daily, predominantly from OFWs deployed to Kuwait. While he acknowledged the responsiveness of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in repatriating distressed workers, he expressed deep concern over the lack of preventative measures. “Thanks to DMW and OWWA, when I bring them (the OFWs’ complaints), they are immediately sent home,” he stated. “But I would rather not approach any agency because our OFWs are safe, meaning well-monitored. From what I see, there is a lack of program (or) system that we put in place to ensure that our OFWs will come back alive after serving their contracts,” he lamented.
The senator’s impassioned plea for a deployment ban reflects the growing frustration and outrage over the continued loss of Filipino lives in Kuwait. The hearing served as a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to protect OFWs and ensure their safety and well-being abroad. The Senate is expected to further investigate the matter and potentially introduce legislation to address the systemic issues contributing to these tragic occurrences.
