A Filipino group has urged Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the Kingdom to remain calm if ridiculed by other expats due to drug proliferation in the Philippines.
“Stay calm and reasonably defend yourselves and the country if ridiculed by fellow expats due to the drug problem in the Philippines,” the United Overseas Filipino Worldwide (UOFW) said.
Some 3,000 Filipinos have died in connection with the campaign of the current Philippine government against illegal drugs in the country.
President Rodrigo R. Duterte had claimed that he had a list of those involved in drug-related activities and it included politicians and well-known celebrities.
A total of 40 artists volunteered to test for drug use. They included Jake Cuenca, Enrique Gil, Diego Loyzaga, among others. But results were 100 percent negative for them.
John Monterona, UOFW convener, said that he had earlier received complaints from OFWs subjected to ridicule by other expats due to the drug problem in the country.
“Some were told nasty remarks such as ‘You, Filipino, drug coddler, drug peddler’ while others were shown gestures of a drug addict,” he said.
He said that the other day, he was with a fellow OFW who talked to him about drug-related issues reported by the international media.
He added that during ”our conversation, I could sense that they seemed to insinuate that we Filipinos are hooked on drugs and that government officials were making good business out of it.”
Addressing other OFWs, he said, “If you’re ridiculed, I ask you to please stay cool. Avoid getting into heated arguments that could possibly lead to physical harm.”

Source: Arab News