Prayers for Ranario

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Managing Editor ANTONIETA B. LOPEZ Business Editor ODETTE MONTELIBANO Desk Editor MARY ANN BARCELONA Advertising Coordinator RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete

ANDRES R. LEONARDIA Managing Director

The plight of Marilou Ranario, a Filipino teacher working as a domestic helper in Kuwait, once more brings to public attention the sad plight of many of our so-called "heroes", the about seven million overseas Filipino workers. The Filipina was sentenced to die by hanging for stabbing her employer to death.

We have heard or read about scores of similar cases since the story of Singapore worker Flor Contemplacion hogged the headlines in 1995. That case supposedly became the rallying point for the plight of OFWs, many of whom fall victims too unscrupulous recruiters and cruel employers.

As in many cases, Ranario's story repeats the allegation by the family that diplomats have failed to help the woman. Such allegation poses a stinging blow to Philippine consular services, which have been on the receiving end of many complaints from Filipinos who seek help of various kinds. It was only last year when the family of former military officer Raymundo Jarque also raised a similar concern about the failure of embassy officials to help the Jarque couple in their entry problem to the United States.

While many others have been helped by diplomatic officials, complaints have continued on the lack of assistance extended to many OFWs needing help from government officials abroad. It could probably be either there are too many workers encountering legal problems overseas or action desired from Filipnio diplomatic levels have remained wanting in substance and even in frequency.

Once more, the sincerity and consistency of our government in addressing concerns of OFWs come into focus, especially with the order of the president for diplomats in Kuwait to exhaust all means to save Ranario. As we pray for the sparing of Ranario's life, we also express the plea, especially of those who have relatives working abroad, for the government to do a little more to make the OFWs feel they are, indeed, "modern-day heroes" as tagged by the government for their sacrifices and their invaluable contribution to the Philippine economy.*