(Eagle News)—-The Philippine government has assured Kuwait that it respects the “sovereignty” of the state and the “dignity of the Kuwaiti people.”
The renewed assurances were given in a meeting between President Rodrigo Duterte and the Kuwaiti Ambassador to the Philippines Saleh Ahmad Althwaikh in Davao on Monday night, April 23.
The meeting comes days after Philippine ambassador to Kuwait Renato Villa was sent protest notes by the Kuwaiti government over remarks made by Foreign Affairs officials there that reportedly constitute “serious offenses” against the Middle Eastern state, and over their alleged violation of diplomatic norms.
This, Kuwait said, took place when they conducted a supposedly illegal rescue of OFWs there.
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration deputy administrator Arnel Ignacio said the rescue without proper coordination with Kuwaiti police was a crime in Kuwait.
During the meeting, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Ambassador Saleh “reiterated to us the commitment of the Kuwaiti government to protect and ensure the welfare of our more than 250,000 kababayans working there.”
“We also agreed to continue to work together to address matters of mutual concern and will update the public of developments,” the DFA said.
The DFA said it hopes “the remaining issues between the Philippines and Kuwait will be resolved.”
“We, however, would like to appeal for the public’s kind understanding as we ask for some diplomatic space to allow us to continue our engagement with our Kuwaiti counterparts,” the DFA added.
A total ban on the deployment of OFWs to Kuwait is in place following reported abuses of Filipinos there, and the death of OFW Joanna Demafelis.