Amid the controversy created by a recent rescue mission conducted by the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait, Malacañang said the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the protection of Filipino workers in the Gulf State will be signed soon, probably after Ramadan.
Presidential Spokesman Harry L. Roque Jr. issued this statement following the President’s “frank” and “friendly” discussion with Kuwaiti Ambassador Musaed Saleh Ahmad Althwaikh at the Presidential Guest House in Davao City on Monday night.
Roque said the meeting ended on a “positive” note, with the two countries strengthening their bilateral ties and ironing out some issues.
“They parted on a positive note, emphasizing that, while the Philippines will always exercise its obligation to protect its nationals abroad, they will do so in a manner respecting the sovereignty of Kuwait,” he said.
“So it was a frank but very cordial discussion, and I understand that, after the meeting, both parties reiterated their mutual support for each other and parted even closer as friends.”
Asked if the controversial video of rescue of Filipino workers was discussed during the meeting with the Kuwaiti envoy, Roque said: “‘I would be lying if I were to say not.”
The viral video showed Philippine embassy personnel rescuing overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Kuwait. This prompted the Kuwaiti government to summon Philippine Ambassador Renato Villa and handed him two protest notes.
But Roque said it did not endanger the agreement on the MOU because both sides have invested time, resources and effort and the two countries are both serious in signing the MOU.
According to Roque, there was also no demand of apology from Kuwait.
President Duterte previously said in his speech that he wants the Kuwaiti government to ensure Filipino workers get seven hours of sleep, are well-fed, enjoy holidays and won’t have their passports confiscated by their employers.
Duterte banned the deployment of OFWs to Kuwait following reports of OFW deaths, including that of Joanna Demafelis, whose body was found in a freezer.
Meanwhile, a member of the House Committee on Foreign Relations said on Tuesday the rescue mission conducted by the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait to save distressed overseas Filipino workers could have led to an “international incident” that would have escalated the rift between the Philippines and Kuwait.
Rep. Ruffy B. Biazon of the Lone District of Muntinlupa City made the statement after Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Renato Villa received protest notes from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kuwait following a viral video showing Philippine embassy personnel whisking away in diplomatic vehicles an abused Filipino domestic helper from her Kuwaiti employer’s home.
According to Biazon, the rescue operation risks Philippine reputation and could deepen the diplomatic row between the two countries.
“While the intent of the operation was good, that is, to take Filipino workers out of abusive situations, the execution was poorly planned, undiplomatic and irresponsible. It now puts the Philippines-Kuwait relations in jeopardy,” Biazon said.
“It is a basic and established principle in law enforcement that coordination between agencies should be done to avoid a misencounter or misunderstanding,” he added.
In this instance, Biazon said it could have led to a bloody incident if Kuwaiti police had chanced upon the rescue operation and mistaken it for a kidnapping.
“From the point of view of diplomatic practices and established norms, rules and conventions, coordination is also called for, out of respect and acknowledgment of the host country’s sovereignty and local laws,” he added.
The lawmaker also asked the Philippine Embassy officials in Kuwait to explain the reason why they chose to go against these principles and rules, and decided to conduct a covert operation that risked the reputation of the Philippines and its relationship with the host country.
“The perception that this is a publicity stunt under the cover of a rescue mission comes from the fact that immediately after the rescue, a video of the covert operation obviously taken by the raiding team itself was posted on social media for maximum publicity effect,” he said.
“Not only does that go against the nature of a covert operation, it also seemed to be a slap on the face of the host country, showing the impunity that the raiding team displayed within its territory,” he added.
Biazon said the Department of Foreign Affairs should take decisive action against the officials involved, saying “the Ambassador must be recalled and other embassy officials responsible for the operation should be held accountable.”
Rep. Aniceto D. Bertiz III of ACTS OFW has said Kuwait has been cautioned against expelling Manila’s ambassador over the viral video.
“If they throw out our ambassador, it will not be left unanswered by the Philippine government. There will surely be tit-for-tat,” Bertiz said. “We understand that several members of parliament in Kuwait have demanded that the Philippine ambassador be kicked out over the incident. This is totally uncalled for,” Bertiz added.
Also, Bertiz said a Kuwait Interior Ministry statement expressed “grave concern” over the episode in the video and warned that “the full force of the law will be brought to bear on those complicit in the wrongdoing.”
“We must stress that the Philippine government is duty-bound to safeguard its nationals wherever they may be,” he said.
“In extreme cases where Filipino domestic workers are being physically battered or sexually abused, and they cry out for help, our embassy is expected to take appropriate action,” the solon added.
Shortly after the video went viral, the Kuwait Foreign Ministry summoned Villa to hand him two diplomatic protest notes.
Bertiz, citing news report, said a spokesman at the ministry said the notes were “related to recent remarks by several Filipino officials which [amounted to] serious offences against the State of Kuwait and [led] to the actions of some embassy employees in violation of the diplomatic norms governing relations between the two countries as per the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.”
The spokesman “expressed regret over such practices which could harm the friendship between the two countries,” said Bertiz quoting the report.
With Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz