The Department of National Defense (DND) expressed its condolences to the family and friends of Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople who died on Tuesday. “On behalf of the men and women of the Department of National Defense, as well as my family, I convey my heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies to the family, colleagues, friends and constituents of my beloved friend, Secretary Susan ‘Toots’ Vasquez Ople, who passed away, Aug. 22, 2023,” Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. said in a statement Tuesday evening. He also called Ople’s appointment as the very first secretary of the DMW a huge blessing to the nation. “Her reputation of unblemished integrity, impassioned service for the country, and genuine affection for our fellow Filipinos, especially the underprivileged and vulnerable members of the migrant sector, was beyond reproach,” Teodoro said. He added that the entire country witnessed how the DMW chief used her energy and intellect to tirelessly protect and advance the interests of overseas Filipino workers. “Secretary Ople’s demise leaves a profound sense of loss and a huge vacuum in public service that is tough to fill. In honor of her service that was marked by genuine passion and total dedication, the DND vows to continue assisting the DMW vigorously, not only in repatriation efforts, but in all other ways we can be of service when the need arises,” Teodoro said. Susan’s father, Blas Fajardo Ople Sr., was the secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment, while Gilberto Teodoro Sr. was the administrator of the Social Security System during the administration of then president Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr.
Source: Philippines News Agency
