Why Pinoys still want to stay in Yemen


By Maxxy Santiago, ABS-CBN Middle East News Bureau
Posted at 03/13/2015 3:18 PM
RRT Head Ambassador Ricardo Endaya meets with some Filipinos in Yemen
KUWAIT – Many Filipinos would rather stick it out in Yemen than face an uncertain future when they come home.
Urcesio Baldomero is one of the many Filipinos who are staying behind despite the mandatory repatriation order of all the Philippine government.
"Hindi naman kami pinapabayaan. Sa lahat ng aming pangangailangan ibinibigay naman. May proteksyon din naman kami sa kumpanya namin. Kaya kung anuman ang maging ano rito maghihintay na lang kami," he said.
Alert Level 4 is still up in Yemen due to the escalating conflict there.
"Sanay na rin kami. Kumbaga, mas mahirap siguro kung umuwi kami sa Pilipinas na wala kaming makakain dito, mamatay kami sa gutom don, lumalaban kami," said Grace Mier.
There are still those who believe that the situation in Yemen would soon return to normal.
"Hindi naman tayo nagkakagulo, normal naman ang buhay natin dito. Katulad ng araw na ito, nakikisalamuha tayo," said Fredo Ching.
But there are still those who don't want to risk their lives in Yemen and have accepted the government's repatriation program.
"Shoulder po ng embassy ang ticket at nagpapasalamat din po ako sa gobyerno at hindi rin po kami pinabayaan ang mga Pilipino dito sa Yemen," said Dawyn Jakosalem.
There are currently 762 Filipinos in Yemen. Only 12 OFWs have so far been repatriated. The tickets of five of the repatriates were shouldered by their companies.
The government sent a rapid response team to Yemen to assist Filipinos who wish to be repatriated.
As of the latest, 43 have signified their intention to return to the Philippines.
"Babayaran ng gobyerno ang ticket at immigration penalties kung meron man pero ang ating number one purpose doon ilayo ang mga Pilipino sa posibleng kaguluhan. ganun lang po ka-simple yon," said Ambassador Ricardo Endaya, head of the rapid response team.
Endaya urged Filipinos who wish to be repatriated to approach the rapid response team at Sheba Hotel or at the Kabayan Restaurant in Sanaa.
"Kung ayaw pong umalis ng mga Pilipino rito biglang nagkagulo, pag nagkagulo syempre alam mo sarado na ang airport, alam mong malayo rito ang seaport. Nagbabarilan, nagpuputukan, mahirap umupa ng sasakyan . Lahat ng ganun," Endaya pointed out.

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