LINGAYEN—One of the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) attacked by Taiwanese nationals in Taiwan is a native of Barangay Bantayan here, according to Provincial Employment Services Office (PESO) Chief Alex Ferrer.

Ferrer said PESO Desk Officer Elizardo Laureta was able to talk to the parents of the victim, identified as Joey Dela Cruz, and said their son has been released from the hospital and is now recuperating.

Following the incident, the PESO has frozen the processing of deployment of workers to Taiwan.

The Taiwanese government earlier stopped the hiring of Filipino workers as one of the sanctions against the Philippines over the alleged killing of a Taiwanese fisherman by members of the Philippine Coast Guard.

Anti-Philippine sentiment among Taiwanese nationals has been escalating over the incident after the Taiwan government rejected apologies from top Philippine officials, including President Benigno Aquino III.

An investigation on the incident is ongoing.

“May nakaschedule ngang agency na magre-recruit ng factory workers (for Taiwan) pero i-ho-hold ko muna din ‘yon hanggang mag-normalize ang situation,” Ferrer said.

At the same time, Ferrer joined the call of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) Chairman for OFWs in Taiwan to stay indoors after work.

“Ang advice din naming sa workers doon through their relatives ay mag-ingat sila dahil wala naman tayong pwedeng gawing direct na intervention ng provincial government dahil national government concern ito through DFA and probably POEA and OWWA,” he added.–Johanne R. Macob

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