"What is happening to the ban on workers in Iraq? Why do we still discover that suddenly we have workers in Iraq?" , Senate President Franklin Drilon said yesterday. "Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas should explain why there are still Filipino workers in Iraq despite the ban on their deployment there".

       This outburst, of course, is due to the newest OFW hostage; Robert Theodore Tarongoy, an accountant; who was captured by the rebels in Iraq. 

       If the violence escalates, Sto. Tomas said that the government was considering the evacuation of Filipino workers from Iraq. She, then, went on to say that this violence is sure to escalate.

       It is common knowledge to everyone that Iraq is not a safe place even just to work in. But why are Filipinos still working in Iraq? "You know, Filipinos have a feeling that they're invincible. Filipinos have strong nerve. Maybe it's now time to think that in places like Iraq, even if one has the guts, he or she can be affected at any time because of the number of forces that are in conflict there."

       "We have evacuated workers from the Middle East many times in the past, like during the Iran-Iraq War. The conditions for an evacuation might exist today. On our part, we're trying to cover all the bases. This is just preparation, more than anything else. We have an existing contingency plan for that," she said, adding. "Whatever is possible to see to it that Tarongoy is brought back to the Philippines and to his family as quickly as possible, and in a very safe manner. Everything that's necessary to see Tarongoy's family through these difficult times, we will do," she said.

       Saudi Arabian Trading & Construction Co., the company where Tarongoy works, also had four other Filipinos employees. When Tarongoy was abducted,  the two engineers were at a work site, and the other two were in their barracks. "All four have been accounted for", Sto. Tomas added.

      Even if circumstances point heavily to the Department of Labor and Employment holding the main responsibility, Sec. Sto. Tomas pointed out that they're doing their best to protect our OFW's. But she expressed dismay that another Filipino in Iraq had been abducted despite the government's efforts to ensure the safety of more than 5,000 Filipinos there.

       "I am, of course, terribly distressed that this incident has happened again," she said. "I am hoping that if there are still people out there who are thinking of going to Iraq, they will take a good, close second look at that option. Because definitely, Iraq is a very vulnerable area. We don't want any more Filipinos to get in harm's way."

No more deployment! 

    The agency responsible for the deployment is now in deep trouble.

    The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) reiterated on Thursday its call to recruitment agencies to abide by the government's ban on deployment of workers to Iraq.

    POEA deputy administrator May Dimzon said that those found violating the ban would have their licenses revoked.

    "That's the automatic penalty. The ban is very clear. Do not put our countrymen in harm's way. What explanation can they give if they were found to have done so," she said.