QUEZON CITY, (PIA) -- The Catholic Church’s migrants commission expressed grief over the recent passing of Susan “Toots” V. Ople, the secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

Vice-chairperson of the Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (ECMI), Bishop Ruperto Santos said that the passing of the former DMW secretary is sad news.

“We lost a hero. It is sad news, a very sad occasion especially for our OFWs (overseas Filipino workers). Her heart is completely for them. Her whole life is for our country.”

Ople was the first secretary of the DMW, a government agency formed last year to protect the rights and promote the welfare of about two million OFWs.

The bishop added Ople had served well doing all sacrifices for the best of our nation and utmost welfare of our people.

“Her legacy as of her father, Blas, lives on,” Santos said.

“We, at CBCP-ECMI, pray and offer our Holy Masses for her eternal rest. We are one with our OFWs and her family in this moment of sorrow and bereavement,” he added.

The late secretary is the daughter of former senator and former labor secretary Blas Ople. (CBCP/PIA-