Embassy in UAE asked to check 3 OFWs in alleged blasphemy

MANILA, Philippines -- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday asked the Philippine embassy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to verify reports that three overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are being investigated for blasphemy for allegedly tearing a page from the Koran and scribbling on it.

At a press conference, Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Esteban Conejos Jr. said he had heard of the incident but acknowledged he has yet to receive any official report on the matter.

“I have not received yet any report but we are contacting our consulate in UAE. That's also the text [message] I received. We're verifying if there's a report now,” Conejos told reporters.

A report from Dubai said the three OFWs were investigated after their employer, acting on a statement by another worker, lodged a complaint with police in the conservative emirate of Sharjah.

The English-language daily, The National, quoted an unnamed official at the Philippine consulate as saying the employee saw the three OFWs commit the act deemed to be blasphemous in the UAE.

The three accused OFWs, along with seven other workers, had been involved in a labor dispute with their employer, which had been resolved by terminating their work permits ahead of their deportation, the report further said. - Cynthia Balana, Philippine Daily Inquirer, April 21, 2008