CBCP migrant commission saddened by Secretary Ople's passing
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People (CBCP-ECMI) has expressed sadness over the passing of Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople.

“We lost a hero,” said Antipolo Bishop Ruperto C. Santos, vice chairman of the commission.
“It is sad news, a very sad occasion especially for our overseas Filipino workers. Her heart is completely for them. Her whole life is for our country,” Bishop Santos said in a CBCP News post.
Ople passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 22 at the age of 61.
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 labor rights advocate is the daughter of former senator and former labor secretary Blas Ople.
The report did not mention the cause of her death but the DMW said it would be releasing more details soon.
“Secretary Ople served well doing all sacrifices for the best of our nation and utmost welfare of our people. Her legacy like her father, Blas, lives on,” said Bishop Santos.
The Church leader said he will be offering holy masses for the eternal repose of her soul.
“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,” the prelate said.