Press Release
January 14, 2020

Senator Win Gatchalian castigated the Kuwaiti government for failing to fulfill its promise of providing better labor conditions and to ensure the protection of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the Gulf country. Gatchalian cited reports he’s been receiving on the case of OFW Jeanelyn Villevende who died in December last year. “Kinukuha ang kanilang passport. They are scattered all over the place. They are not protected by employers or corporations, underpaid and, they complain of delayed salaries”, said Gatchalian.

“I think the fact will state that there was bad faith, in behalf of the Kuwaiti government and in behalf of the investigators, and with this we have to make sure that the lives of our OFWs in Kuwait are all protected and that mechanisms are in place for their well-being,” Gatchalian added.

The Philippines and Kuwait signed an agreement in May 2018 on labor reforms which covers both skilled Filipino workers and Filipino household service workers. The MOA stated that employers cannot confiscate the passports and other travel documents of Filipino workers and that they must be allowed to use their phones. The agreement also covers repatriation of distressed OFWs in need of assistance, activation of a 24/7 hotline for them, and creation of a special police unit that would assist the Philippine embassy in rescue operations for OFWs.

The lawmaker stressed that it is high time to stop these occurrences from happening again and supports call to implement total ban for Filipino household service workers to Kuwait since they are the most vulnerable among workers deployed in the area. Gatchalian said that skilled workers are normally protected by their corporations and they go through formal channels but household service workers normally process their papers under the radar.

For the lawmaker, the next move should be to summon the Kuwaiti Ambassador in the Philippines amid doubts on the real cause of death of Villavende, insisting that Kuwait’s report is nothing but “garbage”.

“This is an insult to our government, an insult to our country and, insult to Filipino people especially to the OFWs who’ve been toiling almost blood, sweat and, tears in the Middle East. This is a very serious matter and we demand justice, we demand the truth and, this is not how countries and friends treat each other by giving fake reports”, Gatchalian stressed.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) autopsy report shows that Villavende was sexually abused and physically maltreated while Kuwaiti forensic doctors said Villavende died of physical injuries.

Another Filipino worker Joanna Demafelis died in Kuwait in April 2018 whose body was found in a freezer.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families in Batangas, Cavite, Laguna and nearby areas who are severely affected by the eruption of Taal Volcano.

Nananawagan tayo sa ating gobyerno at mga kapwa Pilipino: Ipaabot po sana natin ang mga tulong at ayudang kaya nating maipadala sa kanila-pagkain, tubig, gamot, at iba pang pangunahing pangangailangan-sa lalong madaling panahon.

Saludo po tayo sa mga kababayan nating nagkukusang-loob na magbukas-palad. Sa maliit man nilang paraan, napakalaki ng naipagkakaloob nilang lakas, galak at pag-asa para sa marami na bumangon at malampasan ang sakuna. Mula sa mga nag-aabang sa kalsada para magsaboy ng tubig sa marurumi at malalabong salamin ng sasakyan dulot ng abo para makaiwas sa disgrasya, sa mga namimigay ng libreng mask, sa mga simbahan at tanggapan na nagbukas ng pinto para matuluyan ng mga nagsilikas, hanggang sa mga volunteers at mga kawani ng ating pamahalaan na hindi alintana ang panganib sa pagresponde at pagsaklolo sa ating mga kababayan, maraming maraming salamat po sa inyong sakripisyo, pakikiramay at dedikasyon.

With calamities like typhoons, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions frequently happening in our country, I am reiterating my call for the passage of my proposed Senate Bill No. 1123, which seeks to provide a five-day special emergency leave for all workers in the public and private sector directly affected by natural disasters.

Malinaw naman po: Sa mga ganitong di-inaasahang pagkakataon, kinakailangan ng ating mga kababayan ang sapat na panahon upang tutukan ang kaligtasan ng pamilya, at kahit paano’y makapagsimulang makabangon mula sa anumang delubyo.

Please keep praying for our affected countrymen. Let us once again show our resilience as Filipinos and strengthen our faith to never waver during these challenging times.

Mag-ingat po tayong lahat…

(Sgd.) LEILA M. DE LIMA

PNP Custodial Center, Camp Crame

Presidential Communications Operations Office

Presidential News Desk

 

SPEECH OF

PRESIDENT RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE

DURING HIS VISIT TO THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE PHILIPPINE MARINE CORPS

 

[Delivered at the Jurado Hall, Marine Barracks Rudiardo Brown, in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City | 13 January 2020

  

Salamat. Kindly, tikas pahinga or whatever or just stand there. Maski ano. You relax.

 

 

Akin ‘yung Barrett ha, iyong last na kinarga ko. Iyong una, I am sorry to say this, iyong una, ibinigay ko sa Rangers noon, bago lang.  Nagpunta rin kasi ako doon. Piniractice (practice) ko, sabi ko sige inyo na ‘yan.

 

 

Ngayon, naalaala ko ‘yung Marines sabi ko baka hindi na ako makapasok sa mga teritoryo ng mga Marines kasi wala akong naibigay lang. Ngayon you have…

 

You know huwag muna itong written speech. It might not really sound to you as good, noong nagpunta ako noong — many years ago, when I was newly elected as mayor, naglibot ako ng kampo. I am sorry that I didn’t have the time to visit you. But pumunta ako sa mga kampo sa bukid.

 

 

I remember visiting Salamat doon sa inyong — sa Abra. Alam mo but in Jolo, masakit sa akin ‘yang sundalo na pinuputulan ng ulo. So ang unang speech ko — ewan ko kung nagustuhan ng mga sundalo at hindi — but ang sinabi ko ganito — this is just my own dimension sa buhay ko vis-à-vis the President and his soldier.

 

 

Sabi ko na bilihan ko kayo lahat ng sidearms. Kagaya ng pulis you have — pag-uwi mo, meron kayong issued firearm. I hope everybody has it already. Ang isa naman ‘yung — ‘yung ngayon, that’s my gift — ‘yung regalo ko sa sundalo.

 

 

Pero nung nasa Jolo ang umpisa nito sinabi ko na bilihan ko kayo lahat. It takes time — it would take time. But I’m gonna buy you a sidearm. And you may not really like what I’m about to tell you pero kung doon banda sa Mindanao, particularly Jolo, ‘pag nahuli kayo, ang purpose niyan is may tatlong magazine ‘yan. Isa sa naka-deploy, iyong isa naman reserba mo. Pero ‘pag naubos na lahat at na-corner ka, huwag mo akong pakitaaan ng… Hindi ko ma…I cannot…

 

 

Hindi ko kayang magtingin na ang sundalo ko ginugulgol. Kaya sabi ko — iyon ang mensahe ko sa Jolo at maybe sa inyo rin. I do not want my soldiers captured, treated like dogs in their camp, mga terorista. Tapos after one month, two months iharap ka sa video, puputulin ‘yang ulo mo.

 

Kung ganun lang naman meron naman kayo — binigyan ko naman kayo, use it to kill the enemies of the state. Ubusin ninyo, patayin ninyo ‘yang mga p****** i**** ‘yan, l****. At ‘pag na-corner kayo, ‘yung spare magazine, ‘yung pangatlo, i-reserba mo ‘yan para sa iyo. At kung ikaw na-corner na, huwag kang mag-surrender papatayin ka lang rin, mapahiya ka pa.

 

 

Ubusin mo, i-reserba mo ‘yung tatlo, bilangin mo ‘yung bala mo. Kung na-corner ka na — ganun. Ako magpunta rin doon, kung magka-engine trouble ‘yang ano ko — chopper ko — madalas man rin ako sa Jolo, iyan ang gawain ko. Sabihin ko sa kanila…

 

 

National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and the other members of the Cabinet; Senator Bong Go; AFP Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Felimon Santos Jr.; Flag Officer-in-Command Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad, mag-resign — mag-retire ka na, sir, ‘no? Malapit na. Wala kang kapalit pa? Maghanap tayo. Major General Dante Hidalgo, Vice Commander Philippine Navy; officers, enlisted personnel and civilian employees of the Philippine Marines Corps led by Major General Nathaniel Casem; other distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

 

 

My beloved soldiers, my beloved marines, mahal ko kayo. At bago sa lahat mag-speech-speech ako dito, sabihin ko sa inyo huwag kayong matakot. Kung sakali man, kung sakali, ako ang bahala.

 

 

I will see to it that your family will survive, and I will see to it that your children will have a good education. [applause]

 

 

Lahat na ngayon — for those who are wounded and maybe ano — lahat na ngayon nakakalakad, nakakatakbo na. Ang ibinibigay ko sa inyo titanium. Magaan ‘yan. And these are those who are — hindi naman ‘yung parang [unclear] ‘yung suffering from mga ganun na injury. Nagma-mountain climbing pa.

 

 

I may not be able really to restore you to the original state, pero sisikapin ko na ang sundalo ko lalabas may dignidad, titindig pa rin. At huwag na huwag kayong magalala, sinasabi ko. I’m giving you my word. Ang inyong pamilya will be taken care of. Walang problema ‘yan.

 

Lahat ng mga asawa ng wounded soldiers may trabaho sa gobyerno. Maski ano basta may trabaho. Kung sabi ko na anong trabaho nito? “Sir…” “Mayor, ibigay natin.” “Oo basta bigyan mo ng trabaho.” “Sir, puno naman dito sa opisina.” “Eh di palakarin mo. Paikot-ikot diyan sa barangay mo.” Basta may trabaho. So huwag mong pakialaman ‘yan ha. Asawa ng sundalo ‘yan. So ganun ang… Mapapaano ako sa inyo.

 

 

I am pleased to join the uniformed personnel of the Philippine Marine Corps today as we honor the heroes of Marawi siege. 

 

 

Our nation is forever grateful to the brave men and women of our marine corps who went above and beyond the call of duty to fight terrorism and insurgency to secure our sovereignty. 

 

Sinong may birthday ngayon? Sige ba — huwag mahiya, itong marines talaga. Sino pa dito? Di — stand in front. Sigurado. Narinig ninyo? Birthday ngayon. January na ngayon ha, hindi December. [laughter] Birthday ninyo ngayon? Ngayon? Ah pero ngayong buwan na ‘to?  

 

 

[Aide: Sir, today lang sir or January?] Today lang. Bilangin mo. [Aide: Ngayong araw lang, sir?] ‘Yung — ito itong araw na ito pero ‘yung… ‘Yung itong araw na ito dito, pero ‘yung January… Ito lahat bilang… Itong ayaw — araw na ito. Bakit ‘yung birth — nag-birthday ngayon mga gwapo, ‘yung kayo hindi masyado? [laughter] [Aide, eight ‘yung today ngayon sir.]

 

 

Okay I’m going to give you — p*****… Ibigay ninyo sa pamilya ninyo ha, sa asawa. Ito para sa birthday ninyo pero itong pera na ito hindi ito pang-inom. [Soldiers: Yes, sir.] Hindi ito pang-su… Eh bantay kayo sa akin. Suntukin ko kayo. [laughter] Ibibigay talaga ninyo sa asawa ninyo okay? [Soldiers: Yes, sir.]

 

 

Pati dito. Ilang… Wala na. Lahat na January. [laughter] Godd*** it make a count and I will… Fifty thousand rin. Si Senator Bong Go maraming… ‘Yung birthday ngayon? Cheena. Pero ihabol ‘yung 50,000. I’ll give you 50,000 each. Eh ito ibigay ko lang sa inyo para may madala kayo birthday gift ko sa inyo. ‘Yan hindi ‘yan sa girlfriend ha. Hindi pang girlfriend ‘yan. Ibigay ninyo sa anak ninyo kung ayaw ninyo.

 

 

Ibalik mo. Bakit mo kinuha ‘yan? Mapatay ka ng nav… Advance lang ‘yan, advance. ‘Yung awardees. Okay ganito na lang. Give me a listing at I’ll try to send the money tonight — tonight or tomorrow. Pinaka-latest is tomorrow. Fifty thousand for those who were born in the month of January.

 

 

Ipakire… Kasi nag-ano na kayo eh. Raise your right hand ‘yung ipinanganak January. You raise your right hands. Si Mark na lang kay para malaman natin. You raise your right hands para — i-count ni Mark. Wala itong speech-speech. Ah sige kayo ganyan p*** wala,  wala ‘yan. Speech-speech ka diyan. I-gift-gift na lang natin mas mabuti pa.

 

 

I’ll send you the 50,000 by… Okay. The latest will be Wednesday. Wednesday. Tapusin ko ba itong speech o pera-perahin na lang natin ito? [laughter]

 

 

Hindi, just to honor — para lang naman sa namatay na mga sundalo. I will read the speech.

 

 

Such heroism was in full display during the Marawi operations. The 103 officers and 1,800 enlisted personnel who joined our all-out offensive against the enemies, successfully regained the Mapandi, Banggolo and Masiu bridges and recovered more than 80 million pesos worth of cash and checks.

 

 

It thus — the… Mali ito. It thus — that we confer the Order of Lapu-Lapu with the [Ranks] of Kampilan and [Magalong] to our valiant heroes for liberating Marawi  from the lawless elements.

 

 

I hope that with this honor, all of you will be inspired to continue to embody strength, fortitude and resilience in ensuring lasting peace in our homeland. Once again, I salute you. [applause]

 

 

I acknowledge the Philippine Marine Corps for its invaluable contributions and accomplishments in the areas of internal security operations, maritime security patrol and interdiction.

 

I urge you to continue working with this administration not only in promotion of peace and order but also humanitarian and disaster response in times of natural and man-made disasters.

 

To our marines, I assure you that this administration will continue to boost the morale, efficiency, and the responsiveness of our uniformed personnel through modernization, capacity building and other meritorious initiatives.

 

Since 2018, we have been fast tracking the acquisition of vessels, aircraft, trucks, drones and other equipment as part of the more than 283 billion pesos worth of projects under the Second Horizon of the Revised AFP Modernization Program.

 

We hope that by [2021], we would have capacitated the Philippine Marine Corps with the light armor systems upgrade, squad rocket launchers and force protection equipment in order to keep our forces at par with their foreign [counterparts].

 

I am also proud to announce that I will also be handing over Glock Pistols, Rock Island caliber .45 pistols, .50 caliber sniper rifles and 5W VHF hand-held radios and repeater systems to your Operating Units. It is my hope that, through this advanced weaponry, you may efficiently protect our democratic institutions and uphold the rule of law.

 

Together, let us safeguard our communities in pursuit of a more peaceful and secure nation.

 

Umaasa talaga ako sa inyo, not for me. I am not asking any loyalty. We remain — all of us, we remain loyal to the flag. And we should — under that flag is the written constitution. 

 

We will follow the constitution and hindi tayo mag-ano.  Do not believe in itong mga revolutionary, revolutionary government. ‘Yan extreme na kung talaga ang Pilipino wala ng pag-asa. At kung may pag-asa pa, may konting… There’s a light at the end of the tunnel, we would continue to observe obedience to the Constitution.

 

Ako naman, sabi ko lalo na ‘yung nasugatan, do not be afraid. I will take care of you, and I will leave you, kung matapos na ‘yan… Iyong lupa nila — ninyo na malaki…

 

 

Hindi naman ninyo kailangang ganun kalaking lupa eh. So Dominguez… Dominguez, by the way, ‘yung ating Secretary of Finance. Ang father-in-law niyan si Andrews — Air Base. Kaya he knows also ano ang sentimento ng sundalo.

 

 

Kukunin namin ang malaking parte diyan. Ibigay namin sa inyo. Gusto ko idiretso sa inyo pero si Dominguez, ‘yang Secretary of Finance, ayaw niya. Gusto niya na mag-create daw siya ng extension sa GSIS tapos doon ilagay ‘yung pera para ‘yon ang operate.

 

Bilyon ‘yan. If you let it on lease, bilyon ‘yan. It will give you money. Iyan ang ano ko. At dapat malaman ninyo na ‘yang V. Luna, it’s 50 million a month. Ang AFP, 50 million a month.

 

 

Kaya wala talaga kayong sa pagkukulang ng medisina. Kasi nung right after Marawi, nagbigay ako kay Macario, 500 million just to ano. Ewan ko kung alam ninyo ‘yan. Dapat malaman ninyo. 

 

 

Iyong 500 million, ‘yon ‘yung to take care of the soldiers after the Marawi. Pero naglagay ako ng pera diyan sa ano. Now, kung gusto ko ninyong malaman na ganun.

 

By the way, alam mo Del, kagabi ito ang nangyari. ‘Di ba kasama tayo sa command conference? Hindi ko napuna eh. So napuna ng mga intelligence na ‘yung radar nung sa traffic, 950,000. Close to a million. Hindi natin nakita. Nandoon ‘yung mga… But akala ko ‘yon ‘yung the whole of the — ‘yung paglagay ng 950.

 

 

Pulis talaga o. ‘Yung… Akala ko ‘yon ‘yung the whole gamut of… Iyon pala isa. So nagtawag ‘yung intelligence, kasi ako sa Davao nagbili ako ng speed gun. Si Inday. Siya nagbili. Ten thousand lang ang isa.

 

 

‘Yan ‘yung command conference natin. P***** i**. Bwisit. Tinawagan ko si Secretary Año. Sabi ko, “Do not allow the police to procure. Ang opisina mo na ang mag-procure. Marami namang generals diyan nag-retire na mga okay. ” 

 

They are not anymore… Tinanggal ko talaga maski clip. Anak ng p***** i***** corruption ‘to. Hindi mo… Imbes na ibigay mo doon sa pulis na ano. ‘Yung ganun ‘yung mag-overspeeding ka. Meron man sa Davao niyan, 10,000 lang — 950. 

 

 

Kaya nagalit ako kagabi. Tinawagan ko si General Año. Sabi ko, “Tanggalin mo ‘yang procurement. Hindi na maka-procure ang pulis.” Si Año na ang magbili para sa inyo. Eh minsan ganun. 

 

 

Pero mahal ko ang pulis. Ang problema, may mga ugok talaga diyan. I may be wrong, but certainly 950 million for just one radar traffic. B***s***. Kaya tinawagan ko si Año, sabi ko, “Tanggalin mo ‘yan. Tanggalin mo ‘yang procurement diyan sa pulis. Hindi na ‘yan sila makabili maski clip.”

 

 

Ako, maski anong hingiin ninyo, basta legal lang, ibibigay ko. Walang problema ‘yan. ‘Yung hiningi lahat ni Secretary Lorenzana para sa iyo… You know, Secretary Lorenzana was just… [Colonel ka na ba noon, Del? Lt. colonel ka na?]

 

 

Si… Matagal ko na itong kilala si Delfin. Siya ‘yung nagdala ng Scout Ranger sa 2^nd Regiment sa Davao. Matagal na kaming magkakilala. Kaya nung nasa America siya, nag-retire na. Sabi ko, “Bumalik ka dito.” 

 

 

Wala — wala kayong problema sa akin. If it’s legal, there is really no problem at all. At saka huwag kayong matakot na ‘yung… May… May pera kayo. Kaya nga ako galit eh. ‘Yung… ‘Yung comms… 

 

 

I said I may be wrong. Pero certainly, 950,000 radar is just stupid because ‘yung sa Davao 10,000 lang. Ako, ‘pag may pera, ibigay ko sa iyo lahat. Walang problema. I’ll take care of my soldiers. I love my soldiers because…

 

Ito ha. Sabi ko sa kanila, “Bakit dinoble ko ‘yung sweldo ninyo?” Eh ‘yung critics. And then some congressmen. Sabi ko… You know, alam ba ninyo na ginagawa talaga ninyong boy ‘yung sundalo pati pulis?

 

 

Kung may landslide, sila ang mag-hukay. Kung may tidal wave, sila ‘yung lalangoy. Kung may gulo, sila ‘yung pupunta. Kung madumi ang lugar, ang pulis pati ‘yung army ang utusan maglinis kung walang iba. Kung may basura, hindi na kaya, army pati pulis.

 

 

Kung may giyera, sabi ko — may away, pulis pati army. Sabi tayong mga civilian, ako pupunta ako ng mga kampo, at least 85 percent, hindi lang matamaan ng… Sabagay nabutas ‘yung helicopter doon sa Marawi. Nabutas man ‘yung helicopter. Tinamaan. Tsk.

 

Punta ako sa kampo. At I go out really to… ‘Yung problema ninyo, sabihin ninyo sa akin. Alam ko. Matagal akong mayor, 23 years ako. I… I know how to handle. Hindi naman expert but I know how to… 

 

 

Kaya lahat ‘yan sila dumaan ng Mindanao at lahat ng… Si Morente of Immigrations, si Cuy, sa Drugs si Aquino. Dumaan lahat ‘yan sa Davao. And sorry na lang, sila ‘yung kilala ko eh. 

 

 

Pero huwag kayong mag-ano. Ang relasyon ko sa inyo, personal. Hindi man ako military. And you can come to me anytime. Huwag ‘yung… Huwag kayong mag-dalawang isip. If you think that you have a problem, ayaw ko lang sabihin. 

 

 

May mga sun… Ayaw kong sabihin kasi sabihin ninyo nagpapa-hero ako. Kaya pagka may problema kayo, kagaya nung isang sundalo pumunta doon ang asawa. Umiiyak kasi ‘yung bata kailangan ng liver transplant. 

 

 

Eh sabi nila sa India daw. Iyon lang ang gumagawa ng liver transplant. So sabi ko, “sige.” Sabi ko, “Bong, i-arrange mo sa embassy natin.” Pero alam mo kasi mahirap talaga, hindi ka taga-roon. 

 

 

Sa ospital ka mag-istambay, pagkain, lahat. At saka namatay ‘yung bata. Dalawang… ‘Yung isa hindi anak ng sundalo. You must have faith in the Filipino. Meron tayong National Kidney Institute.

 

 

Kung ano ‘yung problema ninyo na hindi kaya, pumunta kayo sa akin. Huwag kayong magdusa-dusa, magtinginan ng asawa ninyo o kapatid mo. You ask… Tawagan mo si Bong o si… Maski sino. 

 

Sabihin mo lang tawagan ako. And if you want to see me anytime, anytime sa madaling araw. Basta may problema kayo, at wala ng solusyon dito sa command at doon sa higher, dito kayo sa akin. At I will try to… Magtulungan tayo.

 

 

So, hindi ko na — hindi na ako magtagal. Kasi dito sa taas nakikita ko ‘yung — ‘yung mga ulo ng sundalo nakatalikod pa. Anong pinag-usapan nila diyan? [whistles] [laughter] May sabot-sabot kayo diyan. Iyon lang ang ibilin ko sa inyo.

  

Matagal akong hindi naka… Sana ‘yung Barrett na… ‘Yan ‘yan eh. Sana magamit ninyo na… Bago ‘yan, brand new. Ibigay ko doon sa iba, secondhand lang. Ang inyo bago talaga. 

 

 

‘Yung gamit na, nandoon na sa iba. Ang Marines sabi ko, bago talaga. You have 50 allotted snipers para sa inyo. Patayin ninyo ang kalaban. ‘Pag nasa crosshair na, i-target mo ‘yung puso pati ulo. Kasi kayo talagang papatayin kayo ng mga walang-hiya na ‘yan. Mag-ambush pa. 

 

So ‘pag nandiyan na ‘yan sa crosshair, siguraduhan mo. ‘Yan ang trabaho natin. Enemies of the state, you kill them. That’s my order. Buhayin mo ‘yang — tapos ihatid mo doon sa kampo, pakainin mo. Tapos pagdating sa korte, i-dismiss ‘yung kaso. P******* i**. Kaya ‘yan ang trabaho niyan. Iyon lang kung makipag-away.

 

 

Pero ang tao naka-surrender, naka-dupa nang ganun. Hindi ka naman lalaki o naka — naka-luhod diyan tapos… We do not do that. We do not do that. Ang sundalo ko, ang marine ko, disenteng tao. 

 

 

Maraming salamat po. [applause]

 

— END —