Duterte visit to ‘revitalize’ hope among Filipinos in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia—Hopes are high for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) here as President Rodrigo Duterte starts a two-day official visit to the country.

Elizabeth Marie Estrada, Philippine labor attaché in Malaysia, said Duterte’s visit would “revitalize” the hopes of OFWs for a government protection and action on their plights.

“Malaki yung significance ng visit ni President dito kasi syempre, I would like to believe na pinapaigting pa ang relasyon natin with Malaysia, yung sa pagpunta dito ni President and that would mean it will redound to betterment ng protective mechanisms for our workers, aside from other things,” Estrada, who is also the head of Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) here, said.

(President Duterte’s visit here is significant because I would like to believe that it would strengthen our relations with Malaysia, and that will redound to the betterment of the protective mechanisms for our workers, side from other things.)

Estrada assured government of their protection for the more than 60,000 OFWs here.

“Ang mga protected mechanisms ay andoon, ipinapatupad ng Philippine Embassy with the cooperation of the Malaysian employers and Malaysian government,” she said.

“Sa atin pong bayan na Pilipinas, dito po sa Malaysia ay host po ito ng more than 60,000 of our Filipino workers and I would like to believe, and I do believe, na protected po ang mga workers natin dito,” she added.

(The protective mechanisms are there, it is being implemented by the Philippine embassy with the cooperation of the Malaysian employers and the Malaysian government.

Malaysia is host to more than 60,000 of our Filipino workers and I would like to believe, and I do believe that out workers here are protected.)

During the recent May national elections, Duterte got 95 percent of overseas votes here in Malaysia.

“Alam ho ninyo, kasi ang Malaysia, Duterte country talaga yan eh. If you know, more than 95 percent po yung mga bumoto dito na OFWs are talagang solid for Duterte, for President Duterte.” Estrada said.

(You know, Malaysia really is Duterte country. If you know, more than 95 percent of the OFWs who voted here are solid Duterte [supporters].)

Duterte is expected to arrive here on Wednesday afternoon after a short visit in Thailand to condole with the Thai royal family and the Thai people for the recent death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

READ: Duterte starts 2-day official visit to Malaysia; will have stopover in Thailand

During his visit here, the President is expected to have a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and will meet with the Filipino community here on Wednesday night.

Duterte’s official visit to Malaysia is his eight Asian trip following his visits to Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia, Brunei, China, Japan and Thailand.