Malacanang Won’t Lift Ban Against Iraq
Posted on November 19th, 2008
The Philippine government will not lift the ban on Filipinos going to Iraq. Malacañang said on Wednesday that it will not lift the order barring Filipinos from going and working in Iraq. This, despite the request of the Iraq’s envoy to the Philippine government to lift the said order.
Late last month, Falih Al-Assadi, charge d’affaires of the Iraqi embassy here has asked the government to lift the ban because they will be needing up to 10 million workers. The Iraqi government is keen on reconstructing its country in 2009, that is why it needs all the help from its neighboring countries, the Philippines included.
Unfortunately, despite the opportunity, Malacañang would like to be sure by not lifting the ban. Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said that while the government understands the concern of the Filipino workers, their families and also the recruitment groups, the risk is not worth the problems and concerns that the government and the workers’ family will have if a Filipino is held hostage in Iraq.
Ermita said that the government’s decision was brought about by the United States forces continued stay in Iraq until 2011 because of the concerns that “the present legitimate government will continue to be festered with problems of insurgency.”
If the American believes that they still need to stay there, it could only mean that it is not yet safe there, Ermita added. Although he assured that DFA is constantly abreast with the situation there to determine when the ban can be lifted. DFA is regularly getting feedbacks from the Philippine embassy and consul offices in Iraq, as well as with the neighboring countries.
The government still remembers the kidnapping of Filipino driver Angelo dela Cruz back in 2004 and does not want it to happen again. Labor Secretary Mariano Roque expressed his opposition against lifting the ban in Iraq for the same reason. Vice President Noli de Castro is also not keen on sending Filipino to work in Iraq.
