The Heartache of OFWs: Betrayal and Injustice as Duterte Faces the ICC

The Filipino diaspora—millions of our countrymen working tirelessly across the world—felt a deep wound reopen when news broke that Former President Rodrigo Duterte was being delivered to the International Criminal Court (ICC). A collective sigh of frustration, anger, and heartbreak echoed from every corner of the globe where an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) stood, watched, and shook their head in disbelief.

For many OFWs, Duterte was more than a leader. He was a symbol of strength, a father figure, and the one who dared to stand against the tide of crime, drugs, and corruption that plagued our beloved Philippines. He was the president who took care of the working class, the soldiers, the policemen, and most especially, the ordinary Filipino. During his time, OFWs felt safer, prouder, and more hopeful for the future of the country they longed to return to. Now, seeing him face international prosecution, betrayed by his own government, felt like an immense slap to the face of every hardworking Filipino abroad.

A Nation’s Protector, Now a Political Target

The outrage is not simply about the charges against Duterte. It is about how the Philippine government handled the situation—how they disregarded due process, how they allowed foreign powers to dictate our country’s fate, and how they seemingly abandoned the very man who fought to make the Philippines a better place.

From social media to conversations in Filipino communities abroad, the same questions arise:

• Why was Duterte not given the proper judicial process in his own country?
• Why did the government fail to uphold sovereignty and instead bow down to external pressure?
• Why was the former leader, who risked everything for the people, not given the same level of respect and protection that he once afforded to his countrymen?

This is not just about one man. It is about the principle of fairness and justice. Many OFWs are disheartened because they, too, know what it’s like to be far from home, misunderstood, and mistreated. They know the struggle of fighting for what is right, only to be pushed aside by those in power.

The Pain and Frustration of Every Filipino Abroad

From the Middle East to Europe, from America to Asia, Filipinos expressed their disappointment. The anger was not merely about politics—it was about betrayal. Many OFWs believe that the Philippine government failed Duterte just as it has failed its people countless times before.

OFWs, who tirelessly send their hard-earned money to the Philippines, who work under harsh conditions to uplift their families, have always looked up to Duterte as someone who truly understood their plight. During his presidency, he showed his love for the OFWs—rescuing abused domestic workers, demanding better treatment from foreign employers, and ensuring that our kababayans abroad were not forgotten.

Now, as the tables have turned, many OFWs feel powerless. They see how the very system that Duterte once strengthened is now being used against him. And for what? Political gain? A show of submission to foreign pressure? The sense of injustice burns deep.

A Call for Justice and Sovereignty

OFWs, despite being far from home, remain deeply connected to the Philippines. The government must hear their voices. They demand justice—not just for Duterte but for the principle of sovereignty and fairness. The Philippines has its own laws, its own courts, and its own ability to judge its leaders. The involvement of the ICC, without exhausting all legal processes within the country, is seen as an insult to the Filipino people’s intelligence and dignity.

If this can happen to a former president, what more to an ordinary citizen? What more to the OFWs who have long been neglected, taxed unfairly, and given little representation despite being the backbone of the economy?

A Leader Never Forgotten

Whether one supported Duterte or not, one thing is undeniable—he changed the country. He instilled discipline, fought for the masses, and gave Filipinos something they had not felt in a long time: hope. That hope should not be extinguished by a politically motivated move to tarnish his legacy.

As the days pass, the clamor for justice grows louder. OFWs, Filipino communities worldwide, and even foreign observers are watching. The question remains: Will the Philippine government stand up for its own, or will it allow itself to be a pawn in a game played by outsiders?

Duterte once stood for the people. Now, the people must stand for him.

Para kay Tatay Digong, hindi ka nag-iisa. Mahal ka ng bayan, lalo na ng mga OFW.