Bagong Bayani awardees

President Benigno S. Aquino III Thursday hailed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) for their contributions to the country as he led the awarding of the 2011 Bagong Bayani awardees in Malacañang.

“Palatandaan na malapit na dumating ang Pasko ay ang pag-uwi ng mga OFWs nitong Disyembre [One indication that Christmas is near is the homecoming of our OFWs this December],” he said in his speech.

Aquino lauded the OFWs’ sacrifices for their families, saying: “Pinapalaya ninyo ang bansa sa pagkakagapos nito sa kahirapan [You are freeing the country from being bound by poverty).”

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Mysterious deaths

 An average of two Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) mysteriously die monthly in the Middle East, a Filipino migrant rights watchdog reported.

According to Migrante-Middle East regional director John Leonard Monterona, the figure is based on combined reports from Migrante chapters throughout the Middle East citing local news reports and from the kin of the OFWs who have sought its assistance.

Monterona clarified that the figure Migrante has does not include those reported to various Philippine diplomatic posts.

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