Solon wants full military honors for OFWs who died of COVID-19 abroad

MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker is calling for the accordance of full military honors for the remains of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who died abroad due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Under House Resolution No. 1027, Senior Citizen Partylist Rep. Francisco Datol Jr. noted that “our nation has always accorded full military honors to those individuals who have died while rendering distinguished service for it.”

Datol said that deceased OFWs should be granted full military honors upon the arrival of their remains in the Philippines. The lawmaker said full military honors can include a flag-draped casket, a Vigil Guard detail, a 21-gun salute, and the defrayment of their funeral expenses.

“OFWs have been regarded as our modern-day heroes as they have made significant contributions to the Philippine economy and have sacrificed and toiled under the difficult physical, emotional, social, and mental conditions abroad for the sake of their loved ones in the Philippines,” Datol said in the resolution.

“The sacrifices of our OFWs who died while rendering their utmost and distinguished service for the Filipino people, their loved ones, and the posterity of the Filipino nation have inspired nationalism, patriotism, and respect from our nation and its citizens,” the lawmaker added.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), there are 8,679 COVID-19 cases involving Filipinos abroad.

DFA said that of these cases, 2,901 are undergoing treatment while 5,201 have recovered from the disease. Meanwhile, death toll is at 577.

EDV