The specter of deportation has haunted the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in several countries such as Iraq, Italy, Japan and France. This following the mass deportation in Malaysia, which saw thousands of Filipino migrant workers being abused by Malaysian authorities during their stay in the detention centers. Why such thing occurred and was allowed to occur was something to ponder on.
Malaysia’s Stake on Sabah
Sabah has become the home and haven of thousands of Filipino (both legal and illegal) migrants in Malaysia. This mass migration was largely due to the events in the 70s where most Muslims in the South fled to Malaysia. For decades, these migrants settled and reared their children in Malaysia. Filipino population grew in large proportion as more and more Filipino workers went to that country. As Malaysia’s economy grow in the 90s, it welcome the influx of foreign temporary labor. But then, Asia experienced an economic crisis not sparing Malaysia. The unprecedented recession was a blow to the local economy. Adding to that, the Malaysian workforce has become disgruntled as foreign migrant including Filipinos have become a stiff competition in terms of economic opportunities.
This mass sentiment was not lost upon the Malaysian government. In a bid to smooth the ruffled feathers of its local workforce Malaysia implemented its New Immigration Laws. With the said law, foreign workers will be regulated giving a wider berth for the local workforce. The implementation of the new immigration laws also gave Malaysia a reason to purge undesirables out of the country. This is because with the continuous growth of Filipino migrant workers in the country, Mahathir feared that history would repeat itself, that is, an invasion to his country by the Filipinos through the migrants living in his country like what then Pres. Marcos plotted with his “Oplan Merdeka”
Many questioned Mahathir’s move in deporting the Filipino migrants and the way the deportees were handled by his people. While some of the deportees and Filipinos viewed Malaysia’s move with outrage saying that those deported people have as much right as the Malaysians to live in Sabah since the Philippines has a standing claim on the place. Therefore, Filipinos living in Sabah need not acquire passports as a citizen does not need papers while living on a territory that is still part of his sovereign, in this case the Philippines.
Pathetic Stance of the Philippine Government on the Issue of Deportation
Many wondered why the Philippine Government had been silent and passive over the imminent deportation of its citizens in Malaysia. It turned a deaf ear over reports of human rights abuses and inhuman treatment of the Filipino migrants in detention centers. It was not only after cases of sexual abuses were reported and over the indignant uproar of the citizenry that the Government deemed it proper to voice its protest.
This inaction and indecision on the part of the Philippine Government could be viewed an act of paying its political debt with the capture and betrayal of Nur Misuari by the Malaysian Government who used to coddle MNLF and MILF “secessionist”. Now, Mahathir only saw these people as a threat to his claim over Sabah. His apprehension is understandable because Sabah is an oil-rich territory. Any country would have a great interest over such a place. With Malaysia’s control and dominion over Sabah, it can ensure its power and influence over its weaker Southeast Asian neighbors.
Still, the Philippine Government could have forestall the problem if it acted earlier. Yet, it chose to take a silent stance showing that it cannot protect the interest of its citizen much more assert itself as sovereign nation.
Government’s Insensitivity to the Plight of Deportees and OFWs in General
Following the mass deportation in Malaysia, other countries like Iraq, France, Italy and now Japan are fast deporting “illegal migrants” and thus purging undesirables from their respective countries. Not learning its lesson with Malaysia, the Philippines still has not prepared for the mass exodus of OFWs to the country. Instead, it only focused its efforts with its evacuation plan in case the war in Iraq will escalate. This new problem could still be attributed to the Philippine government’s insensitivity in adopting foreign policies as it only considered the United States in adopting the same. It did not take into consideration the millions of Filipino workers currently working in the Middle East. Instead, it blindly adheres to the United States’ “All Out War on Terrorism” and has even allowed the use of our airspace without thinking of the repercussions that the country will be facing from the enemies of the United States.
On its treatment of the issue on deportation in Malaysia, the Philippine Government could be seen as taking the reactive route. This is because it does not address the root cause of the problem but rather it focused on the results. What it gave the deportees upon their arrival from their detention in Sabah was only like “band-aid” to a gaping and gangrenous wound. It is no wonder that Filipino deportees upon reaching Filipino soil could not wait long enough to stay in the country. Despite having been through hell and being treated like dirt in the detention centers in Malaysia these very people still have the interest and the courage to go back to that country. Such decision boggles the mind but that’s the reality among deportees.
So, what prompted these “scarred” people to go back? First and foremost is unemployment. This problem has plagued the country even before these deportees decided to migrate in Malaysia. And now, the same problem haunted them and has become their twin. Second, most of the deportees had left their family behind in Malaysia as they were not able to see their families after their capture.
Being separated with one’s family and not able to know their situation is a traumatic experience common among deportees. Coupled with the physical abuses that they sustained during detention from the Malaysian authorities, the thought of family members separated from them with no news of their situation and whereabouts is enough to make an ordinary man fold under pressure. That is why mental and psychological cases were numerous among deportees. These two situations are the reasons that push most deportees to go back to Malaysia and take the risk of being recaptured and experienced another ordeal in detention. Being in detention centers in Malaysia was hell to them but tolerable than to stay in the Philippines without any employment and not able to provide for their families where they will be living in hell forever.
The OFWs are considered as our New Heroes. Most of the OFWs slave it out in other countries to secure the future of the next generation. This is a typical showcase of sacrificing the present in order to secure the future. But what lies ahead for a divided and broken family? Sadly, their present issues and concerns were given least attention by the central government. Worst, the deportees are now considered by the new Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) a threat to the National Security. He said that the influx of the deportees have created and worsen the unemployment situation in the country and this can easily breed new crime and even a crisis situation In fact, the recent bombings in Zamboanga City was pinned on deportees whom they suspected as part of the Al-Qaeda network.
Truly, the Filipino deportees have become scapegoats to the Government’s inadequacies.