Singer-actress Agot Isidro questioned the alleged mix-up in the results of COVID-19 tests of thousands of repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFW).
On May 25, the results came out but the OFWs were alarmed when they saw the names of Chinese workers from the Fontana resort complex were also on the list.
Many OFWs complained about this since getting their test results would mean they could be on their way home as soon as they can. Many are still waiting for their results even though some of them tested earlier in May.
For Agot, this situation implied that Chinese workers are now being prioritized over Filipinos. Agot said on Twitter, “Bakit mas priority ang mga Chinese workers kaysa mga OFW?”
The actress also surmised that some authorities conducting these tests were paid under the table.
“Bakit hinahayaan ng mga authorities na mangyari ito sa mga kababayan natin? Sa halagang???” she added.
Bakit mas priority ang mga Chinese workers kaysa mga OFW?
Bakit hinahayaan ng mga authorities na mangyari ito sa mga kababayan natin? Sa halagang??? https://t.co/sYKIQPM5NG via @rapplerdotcom
— Agot Isidro (@agot_isidro) May 28, 2020
490 Chinese workers residing inside the Fontana Leisure Parks in Clark Freeport Zone were tested for the coronavirus disease 2019 on May 21. On the other hand, the 70 Filipino employees of POGO and other tenant establishments inside the area were not tested for COVID-19.
Senator Risa Hontiveros also reacted to the news and asked why Filipinos are considered second class citizens in their own country.
The senator wrote on Twitter, “Hindi pwedeng nagiging 2nd-class citizen tayo sa sariling bansa.
“490 POGO Chinese workers & tenants sa resort, pina-COVID-19 test. Pero according to this report, di kasama sa swab test ang mga Pinoy workers sa loob.This is wrong, & should not happen.”
Hindi pwedeng nagiging 2nd-class citizen tayo sa sariling bansa.
490 POGO Chinese workers & tenants sa resort, pina-COVID-19 test. Pero according to this report, di kasama sa swab test ang mga Pinoy workers sa loob.
This is wrong, & should not happen.https://t.co/cusyCJMxed
— risa hontiveros (@risahontiveros) May 22, 2020
The issue also led some netizens to voice out their concerns:
If Pinoys can't get be tested for free, who paid for the test kits for the 490 Chinese POGO workers, tenants in Clark?
https://t.co/vAzLFMBzqh via @rapplerdotcom
— Coy Noriega (@CoyKrunch) May 22, 2020
https://twitter.com/pievesilva/status/1263801971506425857?s=19
No mass testing in the Philippines but I guess Chinese POGO workers in the country can be tested
— vee
(@curedbyleighade) May 22, 2020
Putangina talaga. Mahahigh blood ata ako nung nabasa ko yung balita about sa Chinese POGO workers sa Clark na tested for Covid-19, meanwhile ung Filipino workers weren't even tested. PUTANGINA NYO?!?!?!?!?
— Name cannot be blank (@emiaaang) May 22, 2020
”What about the Filipinos in Fontana? Rappler learned from reliable sources that some 70 Filipino employees of the POGO and other tenant establishments inside Fontana Leisure Parks were not tested for COVID-19.”
Chinese lang tinest??? ano akala nyo sa Pinoy immortal? https://t.co/qBVgy3qSi3
— Nikki G. ･̑◡･̑ (@kneekeynix) May 22, 2020
OWWA’s Cacdac and Mocha must resign na
Depression na ang nararanasan ng mga OFW. Mahigit isang buwan na sila sa quarantine facility saka lang sila na-swab test? Nakakalungkot na may nagpakamatay na din. Bakit ang tagal ng swab test habang mga chinese POGO workers ang bilis?
pic.twitter.com/fwWAcnzBlv
— #PunchTheLies
(@PunchTheLies) May 25, 2020
https://twitter.com/journal_ph/status/1266373616171536384?s=19
https://twitter.com/ReyVelasc1/status/1265787848239636480?s=19
Para maisingit talaga sa priority na ma-swab test? How kupal naman, mga padrino ng mga Chinese “OFW” na to? https://t.co/LtPyki3jp9
— Tinola Holmes (@mariaNOTozawa00) May 28, 2020
