Mission World - September 2020

Columban message of peace and nonviolence

On the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Filipino bishop and an organization of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are demanding the truth behind the recent deaths of more than 350 expatriates in the Arab kingdom.

Adnan Alonto, the Philippine ambassador to Saudi Arabia, said on June 22 that there were at least 353 corpses of Filipino workers, 200 of which needed to be brought back to the Philippines. He said, “They died of natural causes mostly. There were only a few deaths related to coronavirus". "There were a few crime related deaths. But most of the non COVID related deaths are due to natural causes”, the ambassador said in an interview.

However, Bishop Ruperto Santos of Balanga, head of the Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), is not convinced that most of the deaths were due to natural causes. “There should be an investigation for the specific causes of death to prevent and avoid future loss of life,” Bishop Santos said in a statement.

Migrante International, an alliance of OFW organisations that fights for the rights and welfare of Philippine overseas workers, has also called for more transparent reporting and data gathering from the Philippine embassy in Saudi Arabia. “The relatives of our deceased Filipino workers deserve to know the cause of death of their loved ones. The Government cannot simply say they died due to natural causes. There must be medical records to support the claim,” Migrante International spokesman Francisco Buenaventura said.

Buenaventura also spoke out against alleged discrimination suffered by Filipino medical workers. He said he had received reports that Filipinos who tested positive for COVID-19 were not prioritized because of their religious affiliation. “Christians and Muslims,” he said, “must receive the medical attention needed for our workers to recover from the virus.” “Our nurses are taking care of Muslim patients. May they also get the kind of medical attention they deserve,” he added.

The Philippine ambassador said Saudi health and foreign affairs officials have assured him there is no discrimination or triaging in hospitals and clinics based on religion or ethnicity. Ambassador Alonto earlier said that Saudi Arabia had ordered that COVID related victims be buried in the Gulf state within 72 hours from the time the embassy or consulate was informed about the deaths.

Bishop Santos opposed the arrangement saying it is proper that the remains of the deceased Filipinos should be brought back home so their loved ones can pay them their last respects. “We, Filipinos, have high respect for the dead. We honour the dead. They are sacred to us. It is just and proper to give them a proper, dignified burial,” he added.

Alonto cited the Saudi Government's rules that the bodies needed to be buried since morgues are full to capacity. Bishop Santos has asked the Philippine Government to help the families of the deceased Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

Vatican News, www.vaticannews.va, June 25, 2020

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Mission Intention for September

We pray that the planet's resources will not be plundered, but shared in a just and respectful manner.

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The prayers of our readers are requested for the repose of the souls of friends and benefactors of the Missionary Society of St Columban who died recently and for the spiritual and the temporal welfare of all our readers, their families and friends.

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