MANILA — The head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines – Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People (CBCP-ECMI) on Friday asked the clergy and the government to work together for the release of jailed migrant workers and bring home undocumented ones.
CBCP-ECMI chairman Bishop Ruperto Santos made the appeal when asked for his reaction on the return of Jennifer Dalquez, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) saved from death row in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to the country.
“It is a triumph of justice, of collective prayers and of rule of law. A life is spared. A human person, Jennifer Dalquez, is saved. Let us give our gratitude to God, to our government officials,” Santos said.
“We appreciate the fair, equality and just system of law of UAE,” he added.
While the news of Dalquez’s homecoming was “comforting” and “consoling” to all of us, the Bataan prelate also asked for prayers and support for all other OFWs in crisis.
“With collaborative efforts and common prayers of all, church and government, let us pray together for the release of those OFWs who are in jail and do all the means for the repatriation of those with undocumented status,” he added.
Dalquez arrived in the country Friday morning and was welcomed by her parents, Alicia and Abdul Hamid, at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1.
She was sent to the death row for stabbing to death her employer after he threatened to kill her for refusing his sexual advances. She was acquitted in 2017 through the help of the Philippine government.
The OFW was released from prison by the UAE government on Thursday. (Ferdinand Patinio/PNA)
