RIYADH: Amid escalating protests in the Middle East against the movie “Innocence of Muslims,” an overseas Filipino workers’ group yesterday urged fellow OFWs in Yemen, Libya and Egypt to steer clear of street protests.
Referring to the widespread demonstrations at US diplomatic posts in Libya, Egypt and lately in Sanaa, Yemen’s capital, against the controversial film, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said it is necessary for all OFWs in those countries to take precautionary measures.
He advised them to avoid unnecessary movements in those countries for their own safety and security.
Monterona said the anti-US protests could snowball into a movement and spread to other Middle Eastern countries such as Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE which have a large concentration of OFWs.
“We strongly advise our fellow Filipinos in the Middle East to be respectful of the host governments’ state religion and their symbols,” Monterona said, adding that Filipinos abroad must refrain from maligning any religion and their prophets which the movie “Innocence of Muslims” had disrespectfully projected.
He admitted that he had not yet viewed in full the movie, but pointed out that “our Muslim brothers won’t rise up in arms for nothing. Certainly, the movie had done wrong or maliciously conveyed a message that they find revolting.”
Meanwhile, the group leader announced that their group “Sagip Migrante” evacuation and assistance program had been reactivated to help OFWs who would need assistance amid the escalating tension in the Middle East.
SPMUDA, an international NGO from the Philippines, also called on OFWs to maintain the peace and avoid demonstrations against the movie.
The NGO, which advocates peace and international brotherhood among Muslims and non-Muslims, takes a stand against disruptive forces around the world.
OFWs asked to take extra precaution
