The death of Susan “Toots” Ople as announced by her family following her death, has left the diplomatic community in the Philippines in deep shock. Since her death was announced, tributes have poured in from across the globe, including from embassies in the Philippines.
Earlier, the U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, Marykay Loss Carlson, sent her condolences to the Ople family over the death of one of the family’s notable matriarchs.
While condoling the family, Amb. Loss Carlson recalled the U.S. Department of State’s recognition of her hard work in 2013. According to her statement, the late Ople was awarded with the 2013 Trafficking in Person Heroes Award for her lead role in championing for the rights of Filipino Migrant Workers.
She extolled her virtues, and hailed her for her numerous civil rights movement she led in support of migrant workers in the Philippines.
The Canadian Embassy in Philippines speaking through the Ambassador of Canada to the Philippines, David Hartman, referred to her as a “valuable partner” in their relations with their host country, including their interest in ensuring the promotion of “responsible and ethical recruitment, and protecting migrant workers’ rights and welfare.”
In a condolence message released by the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines, Amb. Kazuhiko Koshikawa, the head of the Japanese mission to Manila said that late Ople was an advocate of repute who was known for her tireless push for the welfare of Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) members.
According to Koshikawa, Ople’s “legacy of sincerity and service will forever inspire us. Her absence will be deeply felt.”
In the tribute released by the Singaporean Embassy, Amb. Gerard Ho Wei Hong said that the embassy was saddened by Ople’s death. Amb. Wei Hong eulogized her, stating that she was “a dedicated public servant and champion of OFW rights.” It further stated that “Ople was an invaluable partner in enhancing Singapore-Philippine bilateral labor relations.”
Ople, was known globally as the first secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), and who fought for the rights of migrant workers for the better part of her life. She died at the age of 61.
