MALACAÑANG on Tuesday pledged to provide assistance and support to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) based in Qatar after seven countries had cut diplomatic ties with the oil-rich kingdom over terrorism.
Speaking to reporters, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella admitted that the diplomatic crisis in Qatar “may have some ripple effects” on OFWs in Doha.
Abella, however, assured that concerned government agencies would find a way to help the Filipino migrant workers in the tiny oil-rich emirate.
“Concerned government agencies are now looking at the matter, and will extend assistance and other support for OFWs who may be affected by such action,” Abella said.
Abella made the statement amid Qatar’s biggest diplomatic crisis in years, following the decision of Bahrain, Egypt, Libya, Maldives Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen to sever diplomatic relations with the tiny peninsula.
The countries accused Qatar of backing terrorism, but the kingdom vehemently denied any support for extremists.
Qatar's Foreign Affairs Ministry said the countries' decision to withdraw ties would not affect its citizens.
"The Qatari Government will take all necessary measures to ensure this and to thwart attempts to influence and harm the Qatari society and economy," it said.
The Philippine government said that Qatar is home to some 220,000 Filipino workers. (VoxPop Philippines)
