A Filipina caregiver receives support from MOFA for her freedom of speech

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) refused the request of Philippine Department of Labor and Deployment (DOLE) on Monday (April 27) to deport a Filipina caregiver for uploading videos that questioned the power of government and criticized President Duterte. They said she has the right of freedom of speech.


MOFA stated that the rights and interests of citizens are protected by laws and regulations, which includes freedom of speech that should be respected by government if all countries. No one from any institute or person should pressure her, her employer and broker, or nor shall she be deported without communication on both governments.

Labor Attaché Fidel Macauyag announced on a press statement on Saturday (April 25) that the Filipina caregiver would be deported for committing a crime under ‘Philippine Law’ referred to as ‘cyber libel’ for posting content against President Duterte on Facebook. Macauyag also stated that Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) had contacted with the woman’s broker and employer for her deportation.


According to Macauyag, if she is found guilty for violating the Cybercrime Prevention Act, she could be sentenced six months in prison or face a fine as high as 250,000 pesos.

Migrante International described what they did as harassment on the woman by DOLE and POLO on the same day. They criticized the act of both DOLE and Manila Economic and Cultural Office for their acts of trying to earn the favor of President while also disregarding the opinions and pleas of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) that needed help and rescue.


A representative from MECO informed Taiwan News that they did not receive any instructions from the Philippine government for having the woman deported.

The Filipina caregiver, who goes by Linn Silawan on Facebook, posted a recent video in which she expressed her complaints about the method implemented by Duterte’s government during the lockdown to contain COVID-19.

She asked if Duterte had thought about the consequences of the government’s intervention, stating that Filipinos would not die due to the virus but from hunger. Silawan then involved the topic of families being unable to receive remittances. She encouraged the authorities not be too loyal to the President.