The incident, confirmed by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), involved two household service workers who were fatally shot by their employer during a hostage situation on April 15. Authorities have since arrested the suspect, who remains in police custody as formal charges are being prepared.
Go, who has consistently raised concerns about the welfare of migrant workers, underscored the urgency of ensuring stronger coordination between Philippine authorities and host countries to prevent similar incidents.
“Masakit ang ganitong balita. Ang mga kababayan nating nagtatrabaho sa ibang bansa ay nagsasakripisyo para sa kanilang pamilya, kaya dapat siguraduhin na ligtas sila saan man sila naroroon,” the senator said, stressing that the loss of lives reflects the vulnerabilities faced by many OFWs.
The DMW earlier said it is working closely with the Philippine Embassy in Lebanon and local authorities to pursue a thorough investigation and appropriate legal action. Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac has also directed officials to extend assistance to the victims’ families, including repatriation arrangements and access to government benefits.
Go emphasized that beyond immediate aid, there must be sustained efforts to strengthen mechanisms that protect workers even before deployment.
Go also recalled that the Philippine government had taken decisive action before when the safety of Filipino workers abroad came under serious threat. In January 2018, during the Duterte administration, the government suspended the deployment of Filipino workers to Kuwait after a series of deaths and abuse cases involving OFWs there. Deployment resumed only after the Philippines and Kuwait agreed on stronger labor protections and monitoring mechanisms for Filipino workers.
“Hindi lang dapat tayo umaasa sa aksyon kapag may nangyaring trahedya. Kailangan paigtingin ang proseso ng pag-deploy, tiyakin ang maayos na monitoring, at may malinaw na proteksyon sa bawat Pilipinong lalabas ng bansa para maghanapbuhay,” he explained.
The senator also called for continued support for the families left behind, noting that financial assistance and psychosocial services should be readily accessible.
“Sa ganitong pagkakataon, hindi sapat ang pakikiramay lang. Dapat tuluy-tuloy ang tulong sa pamilya—mula sa pag-uwi ng labi hanggang sa pangmatagalang suporta para makabangon sila,” Go added.
Go has consistently reaffirmed his support for overseas Filipino workers, highlighting that he is one of the authors and a co-sponsor of Republic Act No. 11641, which established the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to provide more coordinated protection and streamlined services for OFWs. The law consolidated government efforts to deliver more efficient and responsive assistance to Filipinos working abroad.
In a related development, the deaths of Filipina workers in Israel have also drawn attention to the risks faced by Filipinos in conflict areas. Mary Ann de Vera was identified in March as the first reported Filipino casualty in the ongoing US-Iran conflict. Another Filipina was later confirmed killed in a missile attack in Haifa in April, bringing the running total of confirmed Filipino deaths linked to the conflict to two.
Go acknowledged the sacrifices made by Filipinos abroad, describing their role as vital to both their families and the national economy, while reiterating the need for responsive policies grounded in their lived realities.
“Ang mga OFW ay hindi lang simpleng manggagawa. Sila ang haligi ng kanilang pamilya at malaki ang naitutulong sa ekonomiya. Kaya nararapat lang na siguraduhin natin ang kanilang kaligtasan at kapakanan sa lahat ng pagkakataon,” he said.
The senator has supported various measures aimed at improving the welfare of migrant workers, including efforts that strengthen reintegration programs and provide accessible government assistance for returning OFWs and their families.
He maintained that protecting Filipino workers abroad requires continuous vigilance, coordination, and policy improvements anchored on their actual conditions.
“Bilang lingkod-bayan, tungkulin nating tiyakin na ang bawat Pilipinong lumalabas ng bansa ay hindi napapabayaan. Dapat may sistema na umaalalay sa kanila mula pag-alis hanggang sa kanilang pagbabalik,” Go said.
Senator Bong Go