Philippines Overseas Foreign Workers (OFWs), Presidential Trickery and the War on Terror

Abstract

This paper analyses the impact of the War on Terror on Filipino Oversees Foreign Workers (OFWs). It argues that the War on Terror presents risk, but also opportunity for migrant workers. The Philippines has around 10 million of its nationals working overseas, many in the Middle East. OFWs literally keep the Philippine economy afloat. They are lauded as national heroes whilst also being an indicator of the failure of economic governance in the Philippines. This paper examines the kidnapping of Angelo de la Cruz, an OFW, in Iraq. It examines what this episode and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's (GMA) subsequent withdrawal from the Coalition of the Willing tells us about the importance of OFWs for the Philippine economy, society, and political survival. This explanation is set within the wider of context of the Philippine–American relationship. It is argued that GMA risked the wrath of the United States when she abandoned of the Coalition of the Willing. However, a satisfactory resolution to the hostage crisis was key to her political survival at that time. In conclusion it is shown that the episode was no more than a minor blip, as the United States and the Philippines have many more reasons to be friends than adversaries.