Kuwait gov’t awaits new proposed date for PRRD visit

Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Renato Villa (Photo by Joyce Rocamora/PNA)

KUWAIT — Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Renato Villa has confirmed that the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has called the embassy to notify that they will wait for the Philippine government’s new proposed date for President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s visit.

“Too tight yung April, maaaring sa May na yung bisita ni President Duterte either before Ramadan or during Ramadan (April is too tight. President Duterte’s visit could be scheduled in May, either before or during Ramadan),” Villa told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Thursday.

In a recent statement, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said they are preparing for the visit, expected to be in May at the earliest.

“Hinihintay na lang nila (MFA) yung bagong dates for (Manila’s) proposed schedule (The MFA is waiting for the new dates for Manila’s proposed schedule), then they will confirm it, the date,” said Villa. “Ang sabi lang kasi April 30, maaaring wala si Emir, ang makakapag-receive lang kay president sa oras na ‘yon yung crown prince (They said April 30. The Emir may not be there and only the crown prince could receive the President).”

He said the protocol chief of the MFA sent the response on Wednesday.

Duterte earlier said he will visit Kuwait to witness the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the protection of overseas Filipino workers in the Gulf state.

The murder of Joanna Demafelis, along with a series of reported abuse and maltreatment inflicted upon Filipino domestic workers, had prompted Duterte to impose a total deployment ban on new workers to Kuwait.

At present, Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior is still reviewing the drafted MOU. The deployment ban, meanwhile, is still in place.