By FLORO M. MERCENE
March 10, 2011, 9:46pm
MANILA, Philippines – Thousands of our overseas workers are now fleeing the Middle East from civil unrest, terrorism, cruel employers, and despotic rulers.
Now a more deadly threat has surfaced, forcing thousands to flee the island of Madagascar—a new strain of drug-resistant malaria.
It seems that malaria had been ravaging Africa and the nearby island nation of Madagascar, infecting hundreds of natives and overseas Filipino workers there as well.
Working mostly in nickel mines, the OFWs bolted away, despite the reluctance of their employers. A planeload of them arrived at the airport last Monday to tell of their harrowing experience. More OFWs are following on their heels.
The more superstitious would say that it’s the Biblical l0 plagues of Egypt that is the root of this phenomenon.
Although swarms of gnats, lice, and flies were mentioned in the Bible as overtaking Egypt, we figure that mosquitoes are not far behind among the vermin meant to harm God’s object of wrath.
But why should the OFWs suffer the plague that God has sent to punish the Pharaohs? Maybe globalization has yet to be incorporated in the Holy Book. Or we’d better leave that to the theologians to ponder.
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